October

Was a quiet month for us, Kelsey is pretty much settled into Purdue getting into the swing of classes and coming home most weekends when there are home football games to see her boyfriend Devon play, they are having a great season. She is struggling with her roommate but making the best of the situation. Alex and I have gotten into a comfortable routine with school, work and soccer.

Much to the chagrin of my friends who have been wondering where in the world I am, I have been a homebody of late, venturing out only on occasion. It's not that I don't want to be around in all honesty, I have become bored with the whole routine of going out for awhile, so why bother. I have taken in a few poker games but for the most part, been home taking care of the house, reading, running Alex around and enjoying the quiet.

My photographer buddies got me out at the end of the month when they came in for the annual FFA convention. We took in a few nights of drinks. One of the first evenings we landed in the Slippery Noodle, a favorite Jazz/Blues bar of mine that always has someone good playing. This was a Tuesday evening, quiet for downtown but they had a jazz duet playing. The manager encouraged us to come around and sit down to enjoy the second session, after getting our drinks and of course, our shot(s) of bourbon we always enjoy together we obliged. As always, my eyes wandered around to take in the group who were joining us in the bar this evening and sitting directly across from us was Peyton Manning...wow! He was out as well enjoying a couple with some friends, after his lackluster showing in Green Bay I am surprised he was taking a bunch. They stayed through the set and no one bothered them, I came to find out later this is a favorite haunt of the team, many times they come over after the game to review film and drink in a private room downstairs.

Later in the week, the group reconvened again at the Noodle, this time we were in for a special treat...a private tour of the building which is the oldest bar in the state dating back to the 1850's. During our tour we saw some of the old tunnels, now sealed but used for the underground railroad and later moving and storing munitions under the city. Saw bullets Dillinger left in the back brick wall (once the stable area) from some fun target practice and a run through the upstairs which was originally a brothel. All in all a fascinating building to tour and find out about. Above all I was spellbound by the stories of the resident ghosts which are known to haunt the bar, disappointed they didn't visit but have been seen by many of the employees who work there. There is George whose domain is the downstairs basement, a black coal-tender who appears now and then causing no harm but seems to scare the shit out of some of the employees by just standing behind them. Big Boss, who feels he still runs the place and gets a little angry with the current general manager but alas cannot do much about it and word from the local paranormals who have visited, many teenagers and other spirits who have come to rest in the building due to their buildings being torn down, they are known to tease the staff and reek havoc.....just fascinating, but again I was disappointed they didn't choose to visit us.

If you have the opportunity to visit Indianapolis, make sure you stop into the Noodle, have a drink and enjoy the oldest bar in the state!