Back Home, for now

After a few rounds of golf and a very relaxing week in the low country I'm finally back in the mountains, although it won't be for long as law school begins in just a few weeks.

First and foremost, I was very pleased with the climactic ending to the Harry Potter series. Although I never read past the fourth book, I felt a certain attachment to these characters I essentially grew up with them. While the film was certainly the darkest and most action packed of the series, the highlight for me came at the end in seeing the trio grown up, particularly the image of the always dapper Harry in a well fitting cardigan and oxford.

It may not have been the best strategic decision to see a midnight film with an 8 A.M tee time the following morning, but the game was actually very solid all around with one hiccup on the 15th hole keeping me from qualifying by a single shot. It stung at first, but the following morning we were off to the low-country and needless to say all my pains were healed. With much unpacking and organizing still left to be done, I'll try to expand on the trip a little more this evening!


Thank you for your time, JBH

Open Championship Week

While most will pick the Masters or our National Open as their favorite golf event, The Open Championship is far and away my most fancied week of the year. It probably has something to do with it falling right around my birthday every year, but I simply love waking up early each morning to watch the high winds and natural beauty torment the worlds best players.  This is also a golf significant week in another way, as tomorrow morning I'll attempt to qualify for the 92nd Kentucky Open. The site for my qualifier is the historic Bellefonte Country Club in Ashland, KY, a classic layout that I would have to rank among the hardest 6,000 yard courses in America.

With nearly every hole tree lined and the widest fairway measuring a measly 25 yards, it is a course that requires and rewards precisely hit tee shots.

The scorecard got a bit wrinkled during the round, but as my notes imply many of the holes will certainly see the driver being left in the bag.  I haven't attempted the Open since 2008, which saw a 72 get me into the field at Audubon Country Club. Although I don't believe the narrow fairways and tricky greens will be all that troublesome, my biggest fear is the affect that taking the lady friend to tonight's midnight showing of the conclusion to the Harry Potter series will have!!

Regardless of what happens on the course, it will certainly be a great weekend. Saturday morning will see the lady and I heading down to Charleston for a week of R&R and my birthday celebration, not to mention waking up early Sunday to see who can become the Champion Golfer of the Year.


Thank you for your time, JBH

A Very Preppy Tuesday

While my currently location is hundreds of miles from both an ivy league campus and the eastern seaboard, I feel that today's attire could easily place me comfortably in either setting.

The RL madras was found on my most recent excursion for a cool $2.50, and pairs well with the urban slim flit J. Crew chinos I found on discount at the outlet in HHI last month. With suede driving mocs and the classic timex, this kit is about as classic American prep as it gets. Although I'm in love with the chinos, I continue to be disappointed in the fit of RL shirts. I know for a couple of bucks I can't complain, but I really wish the sleeves were just a little shorter.

Today's look fits in rather well with the latest reading selection, as my keen interest in the Kennedy family continues to grow. I've heard nothing but rave reviews about the 8 part mini-series, proving that my enjoyment wasn't based solely on my adoration of Camelot. After watching the series and working my way through this biography, I can't help but wonder how a family that defined the American Dream could have dealt with all the tragedies the 20th century handed them. Although the last year has sealed the saga that Joseph Kennedy gave birth to, I will always look back and adore the true magical kingdom that was Camelot.


Thank you for your time, JBH

The Cost of Going Green

Although I come from an area that seems to be constantly locking horns with folks at the EPA, I am beginning to realize the importance of leading an environmentally responsible lifestyle.While bringing a few Bean totes to the grocery story is a very minor first step, I recently decided to roll the dice and give E85 fuel a try.

From a price standpoint, it seems like a no brainer, as the E85 typically runs around .50 cheaper on the gallon than regular unleaded fuel and was even offered at .69 per gallon on Earth Day. My father has spent the majority of his life in the automotive industry and warned me that it wouldn't perform as well, but I decided to give it a chance for myself. Lexington is still playing catch up from an environmental perspective, with only one station in town carrying the fuel. Unfortunately, my trial left me disappointed as it proved my dad knew best, with the ethanol fuel averaging around 5 miles or 20% less per gallon. I believe that alternative fuels will certainly have their rise and it won't be long from now, but in the meantime I am going to stick to my tote bags at Whole Foods, as using E85 simply can't be justified if it's costing me money in the process!


Thank you for your time, JBH

A Must For Men

Although the majority of men today would rather read through a blog or find digital entertainment, I still feel it necessary at some point each day to curl up to a good book and let it take me away.I generally stick to golf related material, but the last year has found me reading bits and pieces of everything as one of the goals for 2011 is to take down 25 books. Not that big of a goal, but it does provide a way to keep track of what I've read and insure that I am constantly into something productive. The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund Morris certainly took me longer than it should have, as nearly six months had passed from start to finish. I had always heard of the astonishing feats Roosevelt accomplished throughout his career, but this book truly provides a good insight into the first 40 years of his life and how he developed into the powering man he was. Albeit a long read, it's very entertaining and will make you realize the rewards of living the strenuous life.

Thank you for your time, JBH

ALL APOLOGIES

While I am still quite certain I don't have nay followers, I would like to once again apologize for my failure to blog. I wish there was some sort of an excuse for my failure to post, but I simply have nothing to offer. Over the past few weeks I found myself heavily debating whether or not to attend Bonnaroo with the lady friend, which I ending up deciding to miss. Although I have certainly missed her and at times questioned the decision, today's GQ post really helped ease my mind:

http://www.gq.com/entertainment/music/201106/bonnaroo-festival-photos#slide=1

In the meantime I'll be continuing to enjoy my last true summer, especially considering my much overdue trip down south will be here next week.

Thank you for your time, JBH

Back to stay

Although it wasn't very long ago that I apologized for neglecting Southern Demotrad,  I once again managed to let the real world/ school/ golf game get the better of me, failing to find time for my 11 readers around the world. Unfortunately for us all, the Keeneland spring meet was essentially a wash-out due to the recent rain forest actvitity in the southeast. I made it out to the track twice, but only had one full day of betting action due to the rain. While I didn't win anything, it was an excellent opportunity to sport the lime green Brooks Brothers pants acquired during the winter sale. 

On a brighter note, I recently decided to continue my higher education in August at the University of Louisville's Brandeis School of Law. While in my heart I wanted to move down South, I felt the school and the city will provide an excellent opportunity to connect with the movers and shakers of Kentucky. As graduation grows closer and closer each day, I look even more forward to the idea of moving to another city and discovering all it has to offer. The last few weeks have also been very fruitful as far as spring shopping goes, and I will share many of the recent scores in upcoming posts. I'll conclude today's post with a picture of the lady friend and myself on a rainy Easter Sunday. Take notice of the J. Press tie and perfectly fitting vintage Haggar blazer, not to mention the beauty of the Appalachian mountains in the backdrop.

Thank you for your time, JBH