Goodbye

Despite my holiday-themed posts, I was not feeling very merry and cheerful about the Christmas season this year. You see, my grandfather passed away on Christmas Eve, which, of course, would explain that. It wasn't sudden, he was 90, and he lived a great life..but still. He was an incredible, sweet man who loved his wife and family, his country, his job, and a nice game of dominoes. I'll miss him, but I know he's in heaven talking and chuckling with old friends.

Here are a few things I've learned in the past few weeks: 

1. Buying Christmas presents for your parents is really difficult.

2. At a funeral, you find out how many true friends your family has. You also learn about 45,928,374 ways to respond to "I'm sorry for your loss."

4. Mayans cannot be trusted.

3. My faith in humankind diminished after 20 children were killed by the hand of a crazy person. So much life not yet lived, but God had other plans for them. Also, the beginning of The Voice a few weeks ago was a beautiful tribute to the victims:

Watch it here.

This will be my final post for the year, so I hope you have a wonderful New Years'! (My next post will be less depressing..I promise.)

See you in 2013!

Every time a bell rings...

As previously stated, Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. Partly because there are so many wonderful movies about the magic of Christmas. It seems that the most exciting things in movies always happen right at Christmas. Even though I've never experienced actual magic during the holidays, I believe in it and like to watch it happen to other, fictional people.

For instance, there's "It's A Wonderful Life," where George Bailey, beaten down by years of responsibility and what he thinks of as mediocrity, realizes on Christmas Eve how special his life is, and the impact he's had on his family, friends and everyone in his town.

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Then there's "White Christmas," one of my favorites because of all the singing and dancing. I love the relationship between Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. Their pairing is brilliant and hilarious. Yet again, some of that Christmas magic happens between Bing and Rosemary Clooney (hello, George's aunt). Add in Vera-Ellen's incredible dancing, who could help but love this movie?? (I'm looking at you, Mother.)

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Let's take a sharp left turn and talk about "Christmas Vacation," shall we? We all know these National Lampoon films are fantastic, but "Christmas Vacation" is perhaps more illustrative of most of our Christmases with family. The in-fighting, the crazy relatives, crowded homes with not nearly enough places to sleep, putting up the lights and the tree, and finding activities to do (ie sledding). I doubt anyone has ever had a Christmas quite as bad as the Griswold's, but a culmination of every bad family Christmas would probably look something like this film. The laughs it provides are nearly as great as its cringe-worthy moments. If you haven't seen this film...do you live under a rock or something?!

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Going back to another classic, I love A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. So of course, I love the film too. I'm talking about the 1984 TV version of the film, which seemed to me to be the best one. The modern versions (like with Bill Murray and especially that animated one with Jim Carrey where Scrooge flies, I mean, really?) don't really do it for me. Another wonderful story about the true meaning of Christmas, and the importance of being joyful and helping others.

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Now on to perhaps my favorite Christmas movie: "Love Actually." It's not only because it is set in London, for which we all know I have a soft spot, but also because it is so beautifully written. The plots intertwine, the relationships are complicated, hearts are worn on sleeves ("just because it's Christmas"), and it works out wonderfully for those whom we want it to work out. As I said before, the Christmas magic in this film is simply too good to be true, but that doesn't make it any less entertaining. (Side note: London really is that enchanting at Christmas time.)

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I'll round out this oh-so-merry list with a recent film that everyone can agree on: "Elf". Okay, we all love Will Ferrell. But he takes it to a whole new level with Buddy, the naive but charming elf from the North Pole. I'm sure I don't have to explain this movie to you because you've no doubt seen it about 17 times already, but I will say that I'm not opposed to watching it every night from now until Christmas. Plus, it gives us some fantastic lines that are applicable all year round:
"I just like to smile, smiling's my favorite."
"You sit on a throne of lies!"
"First we'll make snow angels for a two hours, then we'll go ice skating, then we'll eat a whole roll of Tollhouse Cookiedough as fast as we can, and then we'll snuggle."

Oh, did I mention I love Will Ferrell?

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What are some of your favorite holiday movies??

Bookworm Problems

The Bookworm by Carl Spitzweg (aka Mr. Penrose to some) 

I'm getting way ahead of myself in the book department. Here's what's going on: I finished a Phillipa Gregory book right before Thanksgiving called The Queen's Fool, which was very good if you are into the whole historical fiction/Henry VIII/Elizabeth I thing, which I totally am. To find another book I raided my brother's bookcase, natch, to find All the Pretty Horses, which he said was really good and that he left it at home. But he lied, because it wasn't there. So instead I took Great Expectations, which has been sitting on my bedside table for 2 weeks. I then bought a book called Sweet Tooth by Ian McEwan, the same guy that wrote Atonement, and it is so amazing. It's about a woman who is recruited by MI5 during the Cold War. I'm only about 150 pages in, but I would already recommend it to anyone.

Then I was browsing Amazon on Cyber Monday and decided to buy Freedom by Jonathan Franzen, which was delivered this weekend. They talk about this book on Parks and Rec, which is reason enough right there to buy it (previously used with free shipping. Awesome.)

The point of all that is, I think the bibliophile in me is craving really great fiction because my life is not quite as riveting at present. I am not complaining because it's kind of nice. I also think I miss being in a book club that centers around great (and maybe not so great) novels, great friends and lots of red wine.

Good thing the holidays are here so I'll have time to finish all these books...if I don't get distracted by other things. Namely: friends in town, weddings, creating a Christmas list for "Santa," stuffing myself with Christmas-related food, etc. You know the drill.

Since I'm already jumping ahead, anyone have any book recommendations for 2013? (I've clearly learned nothing from this post.)

To sum up..

To end this week, I'm going to post some pictures from last week in DC and this week back in Abilene.

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Drinks at The Willard before Thanksgiving dinner. Don't you just love candids?

Some of my fav people in DC - y'all really know how to make a girl feel special! Love!!

Thomas Jefferson Memorial and the early morning sky - beautiful (even crooked).

With my pal Jaryn at Cowboys Stadium

Enjoying a nice dip while the weather stays above 60 in Abilene.

"Ubuh. Aren't you the Prime Minister?" "Uhhh, yes, in fact I am. Merry Christmas."

It's Christmas time!!!!

I know I'm Team Thanksgiving 4eva, but as soon as Black Friday rolls around, it's time to bring out the garland, lights, egg nog (don't forget that rum!), heavy blankets and fireplaces. I'm one of millions who think Christmas is the best time of the year, but who could blame us? The answer is: Nobody.

So, dear readers, this month get ready for Christmas cheer that's going to punch you in the face in the form of this blog.

Yes, there will be a Christmas movie montage later. Don't worry.

Hide yo' kids. Hide yo' wife.

That's right. Starting tomorrow for about 10 days I will be in one of my favorite cities in the world, with some of my favorite people in the world, doing what I love most in the world for one of the best holidays of the year.

In case you couldn't follow that, I'll translate:

Washington, DC with these girls (plus many other friends whom I've missed!),

It's a post in and of itself to explain this photo...

Where I will be going to Twilight, drinking wine, eating in restaurants, and seeing this gorgeous place:

 Followed by Thanksgiving (including a 5k) with these guys, aka my family:

 Can you tell I'm excited??!!!!!  If all this is wrong, then I don't want to be right.

Moral of the Story: Veterans Day and the new Bond

Here are a few things I've learned in the past few weeks:

1. I am so grateful to our veterans and those on active duty. They do things that we cannot even dream of so that we don't have to. It's impossible to pay them back, but I think we can and should try.

2. Starbucks brings out their Christmas cups the day after Halloween. I love Christmas, but I love Thanksgiving just as much. We should wait a little bit longer before we start to bring out all the Christmas decorations. Amiright? #teamthanksgiving

3. I learned I shouldn't have bought the entire Taylor Swift album, "Red." It's very enjoyable overall, but I definitely have some favorites on there that I could listen to over and over again, and some that I don't listen to at all.

4. Homeland is a crazy good show. I was skeptical at first, but that skepticism fell away the thicker the plot became and the more surprising the twists. Plus, the Carrie/Brody relationship?? So intense. I can't make myself start the second season, though, because I can't stand waiting a week between episodes!

Bond and Q. Just like old times..

5. Skyfall is uh-mah-zing. I love the new Q, Judi Dench's acting ability (of course), and Daniel Craig's ability to glisten when he takes his shirt off... It was really good, you should go see it.

#Election2012

I'm still processing. I'll let you know how I feel about all this in about 4 years when the nightmare ends.

In the meantime, nothing is going to change, is it?

Get out the VOTE today!!!

This is why I love Google: type in "vote" and watch what happens. Go ahead, I'll wait.

.........

So, see? Now, there are no excuses. Go vote today!!

But seriously though. A lot of people have fought hard just so we could have a say in the future of our country. It's important, and I hope you'll use your voice.

Not only for women, of course. I just think this photo is great.

Now to use someone else's voice, here's my advice to Romney:

"Mitt, this is your night. Don't let the hataz stop you from doin' yo thang!"

Thanks, Kevin Gnapoor.

What were you for Halloween?!

Source: Cutest pug hats from Etsy!

I wore a mask and passed out candy to all the adorable trick-or-treaters in our neighborhood.

I'm curious, what were you for Halloween?

Moral of the Story: Full speed ahead

So apparently I'm running in a 5k tomorrow morning. I know, I don't know what's happening to me either...I'll let you know how it goes.

What I'm pretty sure I look like when I run.

I'm also helping out at an event this weekend at Hendrick Home for Children. If you're in Abilene, you should come by for barbecue and a little Freeride music!

More info here.

Here are a few things I learned this week:

1. Sometimes life can actually resemble Mean Girls, and you don't even realize it until after the episode is over. But I'm learning that those "episodes" do end...for the most part.

2. Watching men strut their stuff down a runway is a great Wednesday lunch activity, especially when it's for a good cause!

3. As my former roommate Lanie and friend Olivia at Mother May I can attest, having a new camera is one of the funnest things ever. I've been playing with mine all week! I'm excited to go out and about this weekend and use it for things other than my dogs or house objects.

4. New bars are the best excuse to meet a friend for drinks. I suggest doing this early and often.

Hope you all have an outstanding weekend full of fall activities!

Captain Hook = an excellent week, apparently.

Last night, Once Upon A Time featured Captain Hook. Not only did he remind me of my favorite Disney movie, but he was hot. It was like Captain Hook for all of us girls who loved Peter Pan and now have grown up to adore men with British accents who play pirates and wear black eyeliner.

Yep.

I'm not into astrology, but I think this means I'm going to have a good week. I have a few events to go to that I'm supes excited about, and my good friend, Sandi, will be here this weekend! We've literally been friends since we were about 6 months old. We lived across the street from each other and recognized early on how bad ass we both are.

How does your week look? Are you as excited about the premiere of Happy Endings as I am??

"Nothing more than a breeding ground for tranks, lo-bos, and zipheads."

(If anyone can name what movie this title came from, I'll send you a Starbucks gift card. You also must prove that you didn't just copy and paste it into Google.)

I like Texas Tech. LIKE it. I don't hate it, but I don't particularly love it either. I'm sorry to all my Tech friends (whom I do love with all my heart), because I know everyone that went/goes there thinks the campus is hallowed ground and that they only produce the coolest, most fun, smart Texans in the history of universities or Texas. Even when a Streaker runs onto the field at a football game, they all somehow turn it around into something to brag about. Props to 'em, I guess.

This past Saturday, some guy came onto the field and ran about for a minute while taking his clothes off (not all of them, thank goodness, he had the decency to leave on some light blue work out shorts). Now, I wasn't there, but I heard it was a riot. Thanks to g-chat statuses (not the first time I've said that), I was led to this flickr photo stream of the event.

A couple of things:

1. He's on the field for probably 30 seconds before we even see a reaction from the cops and the cheerleaders standing idly by. It's pretty clear he's illegally on the field. What took them so long?

2. How'd he get his boots off so fast? Don't those things always take at least one person to pull from the heal while you're sitting on the ground trying not to slip too much on the floor?

3. It takes 5 cops to tackle him. And not exactly small cops either. That's impressive, I don't care who you are.

4. Did anyone notice the police officer whose pants ripped right in his behind? (See photo ADW0726 and then look at the next one.) Classic.

Lots of entertainment for the crowd, and I suppose that guy is sort of famous now, or had his 15 minutes anyway. But there are better, classier ways to get on local television or have most of Lubbock talk about you that doesn't require taking your clothes off. I guess I'll never understand streaking, or the wonderful world of the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

In the meantime, let's just watch this scene and laugh:

Mental encouragement for physical activity.

Motivating myself to work out is one of the hardest things ever. Just yesterday, I had a conversation with a friend about how running makes you want to die. Just thinking about running makes me want to cut off an appendage so I will have an excuse not to do it. That's how much I dislike it. But after the work out, do you not feel like a million bucks? It's just a matter of getting to the gym.

I'm fairly certain I'm a member of the best gym. Today is kind of foggy with cooler temperatures, perfect weather for making those excuses to go home after work and do nothing. But not anymore, because this was in my inbox this morning:



So, to the gym I go!!

Moral of the Story: Skyfall and Adele make a great couple.

This week was a doozy. Let me just say that I'm thrilled it's Friday, and I'm ecstatic to be going to Austin for the weekend! Hope your few days off are excellent.

1. Before any new James Bond film comes out, I get even more excited than I did for the last film. Of course, that excitement can quickly diminish if it's not a very good one, like Quantum of Solace... but sometimes the anticipation for something is greater than the actual event. So regardless of how good or bad the movie actually is, I'm pumped. Plus, Adele is singing the opening song and it is awesome. I love when the Bond theme is in the background of a modern song, especially when accompanied by an orchestra and Adele's voice.

2. I learned that I can listen to the entire Mumford and Sons new CD while I get ready in the morning. Really, it's timed perfectly! Side note: their new album is magical. They continue to amaze me with their incredible talent and musical style.

3. Even when a party gets rained out, you can still have a great time if you're with excellent people! Well, that, and really good margaritas.

4. 90% of the time, acting professional with the people you work with is infinitely better than being too buddy-buddy with them. Draw the line, set the boundary. You'll be better off. (Easier said than done for me, unfortunately, but I'm trying to improve.)

My New Superhero.

I'm kind of obsessed with Mindy Kaling lately. I'm reading her book, and I think the Mindy Project is hilarious. It comes on right after New Girl, so it's like a one-two punch of comedy genius. Just trust me.

Dad's Triathlon: yet another endeavor best enjoyed as a spectator

Last weekend, my parents and I went to Possum Kingdom Lake to watch my dad compete in a sprint triathlon. The triathlon (btw, who else thought triathlon was spelled triathAlon? I literally didn't know it didn't have that A in it until I started writing this post..) was early Sunday morning, so we drove up on Saturday. While my parents went to sign Dad in and get his transfer bags (is that what they're called?) I had a relaxing time back at the house. After Labor Day, the lake pretty much closes up, so it was quiet, peaceful and relaxing to sit outside, read and sip on one of those large DDPs that you know I love so much.

After a wonderful dinner at the home of a family friend, we went to bed early. We got up at 5am so we could be at the site in plenty of time before the start. It was a little ridiculous how early it was. So early, in fact, that coffee was not even helping. But I will say, it was exciting to see this world that, frankly, I never knew existed.

Because this has been my attitude about working out up until recently (I'll get to that later.)

I had such fun watching all the svelte professional triathlon runners and the regular joes all standing around together waiting to start. People-watching being a personal hobby of mine, it was like hitting the jackpot. A weird jackpot that makes you really self-concious and really judgmental all at the same time. I was also surprised by how many people did not seem to be in shape. I don't even mean that in a rude way, I was seriously impressed by some of these people's initiative and bravery.

So back to my Dad. He was in the last group, since he was only doing the shorter race, and started around 8:25.

There they go!!

So we watched him swim, change over to the bike, and take off on his 17-mile bike ride followed by a 5 mile run! Then I got distracted by some geese flocking around the finish line.

Geese. They're so weird. I took about 379 photos.

After some much needed coffee, it wasn't long before the professionals, who started almost an hour before my dad, started coming through the finish line. We waited for another hour or so, and then watched Dad pass the finish line in just under 2 1/2 hours!!

Not bad, Father, not bad.

Now, we're training for some 5k for when we go to DC for Thanksgiving, hence a recent increase in my attendance at the gym. It's been a long time coming, but this should be interesting...

Moral of the Story: New York wants people to be miserable.

What I learned this week:

1. I could never live in New York. Banning drinks over 16 oz.?? Really?? I get that the state of New York is trying to get people to be healthy, which is always good of course, but it's a slippery slope. I mean, what if the Dept. of Transportation started saying that no one is allowed to drive anymore because there's a chance that you could get in a car wreck and die? Okay, that's extreme, but you get my point. Not only that, but I can drink a 16 oz. beverage in about 5.4 seconds. Not exactly a treat for me.

Now these, on the other hand...

2. When an online site (ahem...Open Sky) tells you it will be 2 weeks until your item ships, just know it will be 3. But I also learned that it is worth the wait.

3. I learned that I DO NOT need this tshirt:

 
But it didn't stop me from seriously considering it for a minute. Which do you like best? Oh, and get a really good laugh while you're browsing.

This weekend I'm off to the lake to watch my dad compete in a "sprint" triathlon. That's where the distances (run, bike and swim) are half as long as the Olympic one. Any distance is already too far for me, so I'll just be cheering him on.

This week.

Here we are on the back end of a difficult week for a lot of people. I cannot attempt to convey the words that so many people have already said, and better than I ever could. So instead, I'll talk about how it's been raining all day today.

The rain is pretty soothing. It's rare in these parts.. especially the past couple of years (hence the entire blog post about it). And even though all I really wanted to do today was curl up on the couch and finish my book, I loved hearing it against the window as I worked.

These cooler temps also signal the end of summer and the beginning of fall, which of course is my favorite time of the year. Bring on the sweaters, scarves and boots!

I hope you enjoyed a beautiful Thursday!

Moral of the Story

This week was an unexpectedly busy work week, so I'm excited to spend a few days in Fort Worth to recharge my batteries. Here are a few things I learned this week:

1. Lunch with a best friend on Friday afternoon can make you feel a billion times better. Even if you weren't even feeling that bad.

Love you, Baboosh.

2. No matter what Obama says, I will never be able to get past his completely misguided and false idea of what America should be. Thanks, DNC, for reaffirming what I always thought.

3.  New discovery: I love sending cards to people, even if they're just to say hi. (Just search cute cards on Pinterest, and you'll see what I mean.)

Have a beautiful weekend!!

Friday: Moral of the Story

When I was little and my grandparents were visiting, my grandmother would always ask me one question after I got home from school: "what'd you learn today?" It may sound like a simple question, but nothing could be harder when all you want to do is go play with your friends. I had to stop and think, what did I learn that day?

True to form, here are a few things I learned this week:

1. Even at 24 years old, I'm totally fine with having my dad call for me when I'm getting jipped.. (In this case, the moving company who still hasn't delivered my things from DC...)

2. I learned that there are a ton of beauty products in the drug store that are the same, if not better, than anything you can find in Neimans or Sephora. Case in point: Maybelline Fit Me powder vs. Sephora Powder

Currently loving this stuff!

Currently cannot be found in Abilene, TX

        3. I also learned, or re-learned, that the incredible stories told this week at the Republican National Convention could only happen in the United States. I love America.

Sen. Marco Rubio

Paul Ryan (Also, have you seen this?)

Mitt and Ann

This long weekend, I'm looking forward to hanging out with my family, eating good food, drinking tasty wine, and tearing up a golf course or two.

I hope you and yours have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!! 

Abilene Abbey

After moving back to Abilene, my parents got me hooked on a little show called Downton Abbey. Okay "got me hooked" is not really the right phrase, since I am without a doubt going to love, be obsessed with, and dream about anything that is English and pre/during World War II era.

I love the time period (1912-1919) for the drama and tragedy that comes with the war, the volatile political landscape that takes shape after World War I , and of course the sartorially-dynamic, beautiful people walking around a gorgeous English estate bigger than the state of Rhode Island.

I mean....for serious. I'm surprised the royal family hasn't bought this yet.

Does that come in my size?

And that's just the visuals!! The writing is brilliant, the characters are developed either as amazing men and women or as evil plotters, and the fact that they all live in the same house makes it even more dramatic.


I love the irony of opening the series with the sinking of the Titanic. The aristocratic life that so many believed was untouchable is now eerily vulnerable. So right from the start, Downton Abbey is shoved into this uncertain time when that whole upper class is exposed. Now that the war is over, I think all bets are off, and Downton will have to change right along with the times.

I just love them together!

So I finished Season 2 a couple of weeks ago, and it was beautiful. Not just because (SPOILER ALERT!!) Lavinia dies and Mary and Matthew get together (better than Elizabeth and Darcy? Debatable..), but also because Sybil is preggers, that slut Jane left Robert and Cora in peace, Carson decided to stay at Downton, and Cousin Violet is still alive to make witty comments about the societal norms of the time.
Just a few of my favorites:

• "Don't be defeatist dear, it's terribly middle class."
• "She's so slight a real necklace would flatten her."
• "I'm a woman, Mary. I can be as contrary as I choose."
• And so many others...
  
  
  

On the down side, Bates is in jail, Anna is miserable, and the new season doesn't start for another 5 MONTHS. But no matter, because when it does come back, I have no doubt that it will be as thrilling as ever.

If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend watching it. If for no other reason, than simply because you will understand this photo:

This is what she would say if I were in charge.

To sum up the last 24 years...

My birthday was on Sunday. 24 freakin' years old. "How did this happen?" is what I've been asking myself all week. Since my 24th birthday was flanked by family injuries (not mine), I didn't do that much celebrating. Dinner with parents, dinner with friends, and a few cards made for a relaxing birthday weekend with lots of time for reflection...which can be dangerous.

But this kind of reflection was not dangerous or sad. Quite the contrary, actually, and here's why: after moving back home, I decided to go through my room. As it turns out, twenty-four years of living and accumulating, just, STUFF translates into a solid week of cleaning out, throwing away, and remembering. I found pictures that I hadn't looked at in years, stuffed animals that are way passed their prime, blankets that are a little worse for wear but will never ever be found in the trash can, and even my baby book (thanks, Mom, for writing all that down, the entertainment is incomparable!). 

In any case, my birthday is over, and I can now call myself a year older. Thank you to those who've helped me live 24 amazing years, and I can't wait to see what this year will bring.

In the meantime, I'm loving this song (but not the music video so much):

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend! 

Veep pick: A little Wisconsin flavor for the campaign.

Photo from CBS News

I love Paul Ryan. Love him. My only claim to fame with this campaign is that I saw him once in the Cannon Rotunda. My friend literally sent me this link when it came out (yeah, I don't know how to "reblog" that yet..): 

http://onlyonthehill.tumblr.com/post/23142993888/when-i-see-rep-paul-ryan

Which is why I'm taking a hiatus from talking about random things to talking about the 2012 Presidential Election. I've said all summer that I would love to see Ryan be veep pick, to which most people say that it would never happen. But with his congressional record, the fact that he's gotten 2 budgets passed in the House while the Senate has none, and the policies he is trying to put in place, it's not hard to imagine why Romney chose him.

Now, I don't know much about anything, but I'm pretty pumped.

How do you feel about Paul Ryan as Vice Presidential pick?

"Miss it Noonan, miss it!!"

Golf. This four letter word (I'm convinced those cray cray Scots who first invented the game did not make the word four letters by accident) conjures images for pretty much everyone. For people who don't play the sport, they imagine sportscasters whispering under their breath while a man in odd attire tries to put a little white ball into a hole. For those of us who do play, it can easily become an obsession, one of the most frustrating things in your life, or simply a much needed escape out of doors.

To add a little background, my family plays golf. And I mean, my whole family. All five of us, plus my grandparents, my uncles, and probably 13 out of about 20 cousins. 

I mean, seriously. You couldn't make up this kind of family bonding. (Carmel, CA circa 2009)

I started playing in college because I wanted to impress a boy (yes, I'll admit it). But then I found I could hit the ball pretty well. Plus, any "sport" where you can day drink and get a tan is fine by me. One of my favorite parts is the "etiquette" that comes with playing golf. Like unspoken rules of a game, they become almost as important as the official guidelines.

Such as tending the pin... 

...and waiting your turn to putt...

...and learning not to break a club by bashing it against a tree when you shank your drive. That one took me a few years (no picture for this one, thank goodness).

But after those awkward moments of said club-breaking, my favorite part about the game is that you are never really playing against anyone (unless there is betting involved). So it's not difficult to go out there with people who are not of your skill set. Then you end up just enjoying each others company while being outside. I really recommend trying it out. You won't be sorry! In the words of Carl, "gunga galunga...gunga-gunga lagunga."

Do you play golf? If so, what is your favorite part about it?