Please Settle a Dispute
By Susan Phillips
It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything on here. George says it was late September, so I guess I believe him. He says fans want to hear from me. I think he is just looking to get out of writing an article for today.
He says that people want to know how I’m doing. The short answer to that is, I’m fine. I feel good, I went back to work part-time back in August and most importantly my scans are still clear. Last April the doctors moved me from quarterly scans to six-month scans. That worried me, but I know insurance won’t keep paying for quarterly scans forever. My last scans were in late October and everything still looks good.
Next month, I’ll be coming up on the four-year anniversary of the scan that told them I had something in my pancreas. Because of COVID, they sat on the scans and I was not told I had pancreatic cancer until July of 2020. It’s been a long roller-coaster, both physically and emotionally—but I felt good throughout most of last year, stayed out of the hospital and I’m slowly getting back to close to normal.
I’m feeling good enough that we are now in the middle of making plans for our racing season this year. We aren’t fighting (yet), but we are at an impasse on what our first race should be. A couple of weeks ago, I texted George with a surprise—I had made reservations for St. Pete. Instead of responding with a happy text, he said he wanted to go to Long Beach instead. He then followed that up with “we can’t afford to do both”.
I really hate cold weather, and I always have. We aren’t used to single digits and sub-zero temps, but we’ve had a lot of days like that in January. I really want to get to Florida quickly. George’s argument is that we have been to St. Pete twice, and we’ve never been to Long Beach. It’s about 6 weeks after St. Pete, but probably just as warm. But we have to fly to Long Beach and we can drive to St. Pete, so there’s the money factor.
The St. Pete race has never been my favorite. George likes it a lot better than I do, but it sure sounds inviting at the moment. There is a lot of unknown about Long Beach. It will be more expensive and it is much later than St. Pete.
I know many here have been to both races. If you had to pick one, which would you choose?
February 2, 2024 at 4:31 am
Hi Susan and good to hear from you.
I’ve been to Long Beach four times and loved it each and every time but more to the point it was warm!
February 2, 2024 at 6:36 am
Susan,
I’ve been to both races and with all other considerations being equal, I like Long Beach. Plus, it’s a new destination for you with some nice waterfront restaurants and things to see (Queen Mary) near-by.
February 2, 2024 at 7:41 am
I have been to Long Beach twice. It is my favorite street race on the calendar. You can stay within walking distance of the track and there are lots of great restaurants in downtown. The atmosphere is amazing.
February 2, 2024 at 7:53 am
I’ve never been to either so I’m just responding to say it is nice to hear from you and I’m happy to hear that you are feeling alright.
But if I was going to choose, I’d choose Long Beach. Easy for me to say though, since I’m not the one paying for it.
February 2, 2024 at 7:59 am
Take a Florida road trip now, skip St. Pete and go to Long Beach later.
February 2, 2024 at 8:01 am
“Next month, I’ll be coming up on the four-year anniversary of the scan that told them I had something in my pancreas. Because of COVID, they sat on the scans and I was not told I had pancreatic cancer until July of 2020.”
That is outrageous.
February 2, 2024 at 8:31 am
We are all glad to hear you are doing well, Susan!
The prospect of going to a race like Long Beach, which you have never been to and which has a considerable amount of history and hoopla, sounds preferable to me… but I also cannot deny the appeal of going to the reliably warm and reliably enjoyable St. Pete.
February 2, 2024 at 9:16 am
Life is short. Do both. I decided to pull that trigger this year. I’ll even buy lunch one day!
February 2, 2024 at 10:58 am
Susan, it is always so good to hear you are doing well. So grateful for that. I haven’t been to either so I can’t really help you decide. Personally, I have a stronger desire to attend St. Pete over Long Beach but it is closer, the season opener and that makes it more appealing to me. I’m sure you will have a blast either way.
February 2, 2024 at 11:17 am
Short answer: Both.
I love St. Pete — the “spring training / opening day” feel of racing in the area I grew up in. I love Long Beach — as a weekend event in the area in which I now live, it seems to be at least two or three times bigger than St. Pete, with more people watching, more eating options, more nonracing distractions. For those who don’t like street circuits, at least these two are both in pleasant waterfront settings (I’d give the edge to St. Pete).
Since you two are football fans — St. Pete is a road trip to Knoxville to see the Vols play Kentucky in the first conference game of the year, while Long Beach is the SEC Championship game. Both are great and highly enjoyable, but one seems like a bigger deal, with all that entails.
Based on where you live, I can see St. Pete as a regular on your calendar, with Long Beach as a “go while you still can” option, even if just a one-off. I hesitate to suggest that you cut back on other race weekends this year (I envy you Road America and Barber). Can you cut back on Titans or Vols games just this year, maybe?
Whatever you decide, it’s nice to have choices.
Thanks for the post, Susan — you two have a good racing season.
February 2, 2024 at 11:37 am
I’d vote for Long Beach. It’s a very different race experience, and you can see a LOT more of the cars and the track if you walk around. Airfare aside, you might also find that accommodations etc. are actually less expensive in greater LA than St. Pete, which has gotten quite pricey.
February 4, 2024 at 4:36 pm
Hi Susan – It is always good to see a post from you. How wonderful that you are feeling so well! We are all cheering for you from all over the country and the world.
I am prejudice on the LB vs. St. Pete. Long Beach is my home race and at one time I could be there in about 10 minutes. Friday is still my favorite day since the crowds are more manageable, but there is something special each day. I cannot guarantee you great weather in April, but it is a lovely area to explore even if a little cooler than expected. And it has not rained on a race weekend for quite a while!
February 14, 2024 at 10:02 pm
Glad to hear you are feeling well. And George should defer to you on all decisions!