The summer of 2003 had many changes present themselves in my world. After taking my nickname, Phatty, a bit TOO literally this past winter, and weighing in at 272 in January, by the summer I had decided that it was time to get myself back into shape. After a strong foundation snowshoeing in the Uintas back in the spring, I started hiking with Payne and Rob pretty much daily. Those first days of summer sweating were a great start of my weight-loss program, but something else was needed: a change of diet. I decided to take up the Atkins Diet: low carbohydrates and high protein. It worked! By early August I had lost 35 pounds and was well on my way to wearing size 36 pants again! That was my goal, to wear some of my old clothes, not really any certain weight.
Looking in other directions, Real Estate sales, via The Canyons Resort Properties, fell by the wayside as the Lord guided me in a new direction. As an interim, I founded Wasatch Entertainment with Todd and worked with some local clubs to try and help improve the music scene around Park City. I moved out of the condo in Jeremy Ranch where I lived with Kevin and Sloane and squatted at Payne's for a few weeks while I figured out what to do. During that time, Charlie showed up and helped out with Wasatch Entertainment's short lived existence. Wasatch Entertainment is not out of the picture, but it had to be hibernated while more feasible money making ventures were pursued.
So, in August 2003, I went to the Southland for a short visit that ended up being a few months as I didn't get back to Park City until late November! I hung out with my family as my niece Ellie started to get old enough to put sentences together for her "Uncle Cheese" and my nephew Bo got brave enough to begin crawling his way around the house and into our hearts. I also spent a ton of time with Ryan, Spencer, and a new crowd of peeps that were as crazy as I was when I was in Knoxville years ago--not surprising me, either, but a much calmer Phatty is typing this. :) Many of the old crew have also calmed down and I have to say I was sad not to see them as much as I hoped I would like Baker, Triple J, Chuck, Stephen, Schu, Parker, Shoff, Bone, Jim and Dianne, and Chris Harris, who I did not even get to see. I guess me being single and on a completely random schedule had something to do with not seeing them as much and them being married and having children probably also did, too. Along the way I met some new friends that will probably be in the PHAMILY for years to come.
For the majority of the time I was in Knoxville, I stayed at Poppa Bear's house hanging out with Scout and Boo and spent my days downloading music, working out like a fiend at Exclusive Fitness, playing Vice City and SOCOM on the Playstation 2, and generally did nothing but gather my wits and try to make a plan for the upcoming winter season. I even managed to see some music and ran into some dear old friends, one who touched my heart more than ever. But, with the exception of the trips to South Carolina to see Widespread Panic, where Jamie and Ryan were the most excellent host and hostess, Nashville to see Panic again for my 200th time, and a couple of trips to Camp Beaver and West Tennessee, most nights were spent going ballistic in Knoxville, not necessarily like I did in the old days, but having a great time at different places. One of the the best times of the fall was when a private group of us watched Boomsday from the top of the First Tennessee Bank building. I have seen a ton of those, but never like that night. Another string of Thursday nights were a total blast when the Old City hosted "Sundown in the City" which featured many great artists for free in a great outdoor venue. 4620 was by far my favorite club especially on Sunday nights when Superfly played their own style of jazz. There was a never-ending series of stories, friends, and faces that came up and down those stairs--I will always hold some of those nights being as fun as fun can be in Knoxville. I also was caught at various times at Cha Cha's, Charlie Pepper's, Michael's, Toddy's, and Barley's in the Old City. Really, most any old night in the Southland can't be beat!
Now, I am back in Park City and ready for a great winter. You can find me teaching skiing at Deer Valley Resort, working out at Silver Mountain Health Club, or hanging out at Silvia's, where I will be living this winter.
Anyway, enough reminiscing about a great fall, as I know you didn't come here to read. Find below a few different links to some great pics of me hanging out with the most wonderful people in the world: YOU! My Phamily!
Love and Peace from the heart of the Wasatch Mountains,
Phatty
December 8, 2003My Family
Phriends
Lollapalooza
Boomsday
UT Football Games
Sundown in the City
