Boys of Summer book Entry #40

June 25, 2004 - Dan

Dallas, TX

We get up and away on time but realize about 20 minutes into our trip that Bob’s printer and “Brain” were left behind.

*Bob’s note: “The “Brain” is an enormous white folder bursting at the seams with all the paperwork for the road. I have my laptop, but the battery and AC adapter for the car I ordered for the trip did not come in time for us to use them. Therefore...the “Brain”.

After back tracking, we stop at the local NBC station to pick up a tape of our story/interview that has been broadcast the prior evening. Thanks to our contact there, Tracy Hatfield.

Later...

On the road again! It is about a 3.5 hour drive to Dallas. As we approached Dallas, we hit the heaviest rain storm to date. After a few near-accidents, we meet Paulette, my daughter, Christine and her partner, Migdalia, at a Chinese restaurant. What a great reunion!

After lunch it’s off to Costco to shop for our tailgate party, then to Christine’s house for a quick change before our meeting at Pete’s to board the bus.

Bob's note:
Pete’s Piano Bar is a “dueling piano bar” (back to back baby grands). My sister is a player/singer at the Pete’s location in Addison, TX (suburb of Dallas). The name of the game here is summed up in their bumper sticker which reads: “Shut up and sing!”

Again a smaller than expected crowd, 11 including all of us.

We had set up a major fundraiser with the help of Jackie McAllister and the Texas Rangers. The Rangers donated 50 tickets to the game and Jackie arranged a bus for transportation to and from the game out of Pete’s parking lot. Market as well as we thought we did, we once again struck out in attracting a crowd. We were able to cancel the bus, thankfully and roll on with our small, but very friendly crowd which included an adorable young boy named Evan. Evan’s grandfather has Parkinson’s Disease.

Despite our size, we had an enjoyable and inspirational evening. Jeryn is a speech therapist and the head of the local chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association and Mitch, a fellow Parkinsonian. The ballpark in Arlington is beautiful, the rain has dried up and a very good crowd is out for a exciting game that the Rangers win.

After the game, we watch a fireworks show from the parking lot, then listen to Mitch play guitar and sing songs his has written until the lot is empty.

When we arrive back at Christine’s, we viewed the t.v. interview tapes from Phoenix and Houston. They are both very well done and do a good job of telling our story. I have to say I’m shocked by my appearance. It may be some form of denial but I look much more affected by Parkinson’s than I thought. My posture, facial expression and speech are very telling. I will make an effort to be more aware and more animated.