Life

Life is so very unpredictable. Thirty minutes ago I was going to write a post full of questions I would enjoy reading other's replies to. However, as I mentioned, this was 30 minutes ago. Much has changed in the last thirty minutes.

I was on the phone with my brother when another call came in. I ignored it, as I haven't spoken to my brother in a week or so, and the person calling I saw on Saturday. She had left a message, which is rare seeing she understands I never listen to my voicemail. Since she left a message, I figured something was up. I asked my brother if I may call him back in three minutes and he obliged. I didn't listen to the voicemail, I just called my friend back. No answer. Checked my voicemail, and she asked me to call her as soon as I recieved the message, and to call the house line. 'But that is what I did' I thought to myself....so I called it again. As soon as she answered, I asked "what's wrong?" I have know her eleven years, I knew something was up. "I am thinking of going home" she said. "Home? Rochester, home?" I asked. "Yes, I can't do this anymore" was her reply. She was giving the baby a bath as I told her I thoroughly cleaned my apartment yesterday (for she is allergic to my cat) why don't you and the baby come here tonight, the baby can sleep and you and I can talk. Her telling me she is thinking of leaving her husband is shocking to me. I figured a good talk and cry might help. And being here, not at home might also help. Luckely I did "de-cat" my apartment yesterday. (Yes, I have to de-cat my apartment, even for me.) I through some extra things in the wash just incase, and as soon as she comes in, I will take the baby and have an allegra with water ready for her to take. Bart and I are now in the spare room, where he will be as long as she and baby stay with me.

Background - I don't care all too much for her husband. But I care for him because he is married to one of my dearest friends. When it comes to her, I will do all I can to help. She can stay with me for as long as she would like. As for Bart...Bart and I will have to see what we can do to make things work - if it even comes to that. If it does come to that...wow...I would be the bestest friend I could possibly be. I like to think things out. I like to think about the "what if's" in lfe. So now I am trying to think of what I will offer if things come down to it. She is my family here, yes I will be there for her. It will be an interesting night. Please pray for her! She could use the support.

Thank you!

My Two Weeks

First night in Nashville, I met these three at the hotel bar and we ventured into Nashville. The first place we went to was Coyote Ugly. We had a blast. Matt (on right) won the booty shaking contest, I won the beer chugging contest and Liz and her boyfriend did a body shot on the bar. All in all - great night!

Second night in Nashville, I hung out with Sheriff Lay. He sang "I'm too Sexy" while a Lieutenant that just returned from Iraq danced along. GREAT NIGHT!! Lots of laughter.

My third night in Nashville, Bennjin, his girlfriend, some of his co-workers and I went to Tin Roof to hear James Dean Hicks play. I met James last year in the DC area, so it was fun to go see him play!!

This is Bennjin. We met about 7 years ago when he was working with CMT and I was at Entercom Radio in Rochester. Bennjin had brought Pat Green to Rochester for a concert and since then we have been friends. I got to see him two nights while I was in his town.

San Antonio. That was this past week. This was a show that I helped organize before I left my last job. It was great to see my old co-workers and advisory board members!! In this picture (left to right) is my old boss Michael, my old co-worker Barb and Don, an advisory board member that I became good friends with! Hanging with them all week was a lot of fun. Barb and I had out fun moments. Don and I had a chance to have a few brews and catch up, and Michael enjoyed having me there.

The past two weeks have been great! Although, I do have to say, I am extremely glad to be home!! Next week I am home and then I leave again. Next trip - Milwaukee, WI. CHEESE HAT HERE I COME!!!!

Nashville

Last night I returned from my week in Nashville. It was one great week!! I arrived Sunday afternoon and realized quickly that the hotel I was staying at (where the show was being held) wasn't too close to the city. I was a bit disappointed. After checking in my room, I hit the hotel bar for a beer. While I was sitting there watching the Sabres play the Rangers, I met some people around my age. After a bit of talking, they invited me to go into Nashville with them, I joyfully accepted. That night we went to Coyote Ugly and had a blast! Just so you know, I won the beer chugging contest that night!!! I volunteered two of the people I was with to do body shots, which I thought was extremely kind of me! At first, I thought Liz (the girl I was with) was going to kill me, but she had a blast. Then I volunteered Matt (on of the guys) to enter the booty shaking contest...he won! Needless to say, we had fun. We were home early, which was nice, since I was up at 5 that day.

Monday I slept till 9, went down and had breakfast. After that it was set-up time. I finished setting up pretty quickly, so I did my people watching in the hotel area I was set up in. Quickly, I noticed there were a lot of guys carrying guns, it was a Jail Convention. As I was sitting there, this Sheriff walks up and starts asking why I was there...bla bla bla. He was hung over beyond belief, so instead of going to the session he talked to me. I didn't mind - killed time. After two hours of him going into sessions, then coming out to talk to me, he asked if I wanted to go out that night. Go into Nashville, with a Sheriff - Sure! Why not!! I got to my room to change at 7:30 and was back in the Lobby by 7:40 - that included taking a call from work too. Pulled hair back, threw on my jeans, boots and a tee and I was out the door. When I got in his car, all I wanted to do was play with the lights!! Now that was fun!! We went to a karaoke bar. I love karaoke bars and making fun of those you think they can sing but really can't. Apparently in Nashville, the karaoke bars didn't get that message. Everyone that sang had amazing voices. No one to make fun of!! What's the point of Karaoke?? I had a blast anyway. Then my date, Anthony, got up and sang "I'm to Sexy" - yea I have pictures!! Very funny!!

Tuesday, I went out with my friend Bennjin. We went to the Tin Roof to hear James Dean Hicks play. I met James Dean when he was with Bennjin in DC last October or November. That was a great night. We thought it would be an early night but we didn't leave until one, getting me back to the hotel by 1:30. Oh, I had to be up at 5:30 every morning - so late nights were fun, just made it hard the next morning.

Wednesday and Thursday I stayed in. It was room service those nights.

Friday I taxied into the city for happy hour with Bennjin and his co-workers. Then we went to another bar for pool and some grub with our beer. I was home by 12:30 that night.

As for Saturday, it was up at 5:30 but done by 12:30 to head to the airport. All in All, it was a great week!! I have some pictures that are fun to share, but I will upload once I get back from San Antonio. I need to get back to laundry and packing. One day home - not enough!!!