I’m a tightwad. Let’s just start there. That being said, it’s difficult for me to enjoy overpriced entertainment. I admit, this attitude filters down and ends up effecting (affecting?) my entire family. It’s for this reason that yesterday marked the first time in 2008 that we went to a movie as a family. The last time we went was December of 2007.

Yesterday’s outing was filled with expectations. Taking a family of 5 to the movies is expensive. So, we combat that by going at the matinée time. It still costs us $32. Ouch. You don’t even have to ask if we bought popcorn or drinks.

My highest expectation is that by picking a G Rated movie it might be appropriate for my 3, 4 and 6 year old. I sat there through 20 minutes (no exaggeration) of previews in a state of miff and anger. Not only was the decibel level uncalled for but the imagery and content were NOT age appropriate for a G movie audience.

As for the movie itself, The Tale of Despereaux was mediocre at best in my opinion. Sure, the animation was fun and the story premise was OK, but it didn’t find it terribly entertaining. Granted, I did just spend more than I think is reasonable for admission and did sit through 20 minutes of inappropriate trailers.

Maybe next year I’ll just hand over $32 to my boys and let them go buy sacks for of candy.

- Kyle Dreier

Yesterday, by way of a Google search for “Dreier”, I learned that the Dreier name is now Mudd.

What looks to be a scandal of large proportions, Marc Dreier of the law firm of Dreier, LLP is being “accused of stealing” as the New York Times puts it. The Wall Street Journal reports that he faces charges of “$100 million fraud against various hedge funds”.

What a mess.

Prior to this, the Dreier name was popularized (while be it limited) by California Congressman David Dreier.

I can only speculate as to any blood relation to either of these Dreiers. Being that our name has gone through some changes from being spelled at Dreyer, I would assume that there is some link … maybe back to Hannover Germany.

The recent events of Marc Dreier remind me of when I was paying for gas with an out of town check in a community where the Dreier name has a positive connotation. The clerk looked at the check and said something like “oh, you’re a ‘Dreier’ … I don’t need any other information.”

At least the Dreier name is a good thing in that little community in the middle of Kansas.

- Kyle

I found myself this morning looking down on my walk. I was nudged to look up. Why? Well, up certainly has more to see … at least it did this morning.

I have a natural tenancy to look down. I guess I’m watching out for something that might be dangerous … oh, watch out for that barely recognizable dead bird, oh … there’s a piece of trash … or that very dangerous blade of dried up grass …

I’m not in danger of quicksand or a huge sinkhole … so I looked up this morning on my walk.

What did I see? I saw a fantastic light show with the sun coming up and coloring the wispy clouds, I saw the largest v-formation of birds I’d ever seen … probably 200-300 birds heading south.

So, this morning I’m reminded that I need to look up and enjoy what God has in store for me.

– Kyle (Mr. Critical)

Since moving to Franklin, TN from Dallas, TX my wife and I have noticed that we’re not the only ones in love with our new surroundings—yet loyal and proud of our previous home state, Texas … as my wife says “Always a Texan.”

We continue to get people stopping us on the road and in parking lots to ask us where we got our window sticker … I Texas TN … and now you can get one for yourself.

Want an “I Texas TN” bumper sticker? How about 4? Share ‘em with your TX/TN friends. A pack of 4 is only $6 bucks (plus $1.50 shipping/handling).

Are you from Texas? Post a “comment” and let us know where you’re from, what you miss from TX and what you like about TN. If you’re from Tennessee and living in Texas, let us know what you miss about Tennessee.

Kyle Dreier

While at first glance you may have thought “careless” it’s actually car-less. Yes, I’ve decided to trade my $60 per gas tank fill up for the way of the old world. Not really. I’m just in waiting for my “new” car from Dan. This waiting has been good.

The other day I had a meeting scheduled in downtown Franklin and decided I would walk the 3 or 4 miles from my home. I overestimated my pace and underestimated the time it would take. As it ended up it was about 1 1/4 hours.

It was a peculiar morning as I headed out and, as usual, I had my camera in tow. It had rained earlier and the sky was quietly moving on. I didn’t camp out at any one point of interest but as I was walking I did see things that prompted a quick snap-shot.

Honestly, this was a great walk and besides being late to my meeting (sorry Brian) my soul was fed and I’m sure my heart benefited from the exercise.

This is a sampling of what I saw between Fieldstone Farms and Downtown Franklin.

Yes, that’s what the sky looked like. Almost like a painting.

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Um, … more sky.

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This growing just a few feet from traffic along Hillsboro Road.

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A cute little house just behind the rec center.

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Is this poison ivy? I never know.

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I love the graphic nature of common things.

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Location, location, location. 2 blocks from Downtown Franklin.

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This is a neat stone wall on the edge of a very old cemetery.

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Rose garden at the corner of South Margin and 4th Avenue.

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So there you have it. What took me over an hour to walk you just got to enjoy in less than 2 minutes.

– Kyle Dreier

About three and a half years ago Amy and I purchased a condo which was simply a drawing of a floor plan and a couple of artist renderings. Construction was completed in September of 2007 and we began decorating and setting up our vacation home. We’ve decorated it and equipped it for our use as well as for guests.

March 1 officially starts the peak rental season and I’m rather pleased with how everything turned out. We’ve created a web site with additional information about our beach condo.

If you’re interested in getting discounts and last minute deals make sure to sign up via our www.1708shores.com web site.

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If you are interested in rates and availability and additional photos please check our Shores of Panama web site.

See you at the beach!

- Kyle

Ever since I was a boy I’ve had a certain affinity for Whataburgers. I can remember my mom saying those ever welcome words of “you wanna get a Whataburger?”

The love continued through high school and college and now well into adulthood. But this is where my story takes a dark turn.

In 1998 Amy and I moved to Tennessee where if you were to ask where to find a Whataburger you’d likely get a response of “A what-a-what?”

While my obsession for Whataburger pales in comparison to Wayne Geyer’s, I do, when given the opportunity, go a little out of my way to rekindle my Whataburger taste buds.

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This past weekend I kept an eagle eye on the roadside as I headed down to Florida. Apparently Alabama is more worthy of not just one, but multiple Whataburger locations. I stopped at one of them, just 2.5 hours south of my home.

- Kyle Dreier

I’m the kind of guy that has to just stop and unplug most days. In my single days when I was working as Art Director for American Way magazine I lived less than one mile from work and I had no TV. I totally missed the entire OJ Simpson ordeal.

So, what did I do without a TV? I ran a bunch. I Rollerbladded more. I’d hop in the car and dart off to a local park and skate for an hour or two. I was in good shape. That was sixteen years ago.

So what about today? Lately I’ve found myself channel surfing through stupid stuff on TV. We don’t have cable … not that it’d be any better.

“Enough!” I say.

Thanks to my pal and fellow Steve Martin fan, Jeff McMahon, I started the year off reading the Steve Martin autobiography. Good read, especially for anyone who has followed him since his first album or before.

Now, I’m on the self imposed one-book-per-month plan.

January: Steve Martin autobiography
February: Financial Peace – Dave Ramsey
March: My Name is Asher Lev – Chaim Potok
April: Boundaries – Townsend/Cloud

The rest of the year is still up for grabs, but so far, I’ve already read more than I have in the past 5 years.

- Kyle Dreier (less vegetated)