Wooden Rollercoasters

It's has been a while since I have posted anything. Life has been pretty busy, but things are starting to slow down a bit, which is very much appreciated on my end. This weekend I am thinking of canceling my day plans with my friend and her son, just so I can relax and do nothing. I am ready for a nothing weekend - especially since I will be gone next weekend.

This past weekend I was in Chicago for my cousin's college graduation party. It was a bitter sweet weekend. Most of the family flew in Thursday night. My cousin Jessy rented an SUV to fit six of us and our luggage. We actually fit perfectly, oddly enough. I was in the far back with the luggage listening to my nano as jessy drove with four back seat drivers telling her were to go. It was as if I was on an old wooden roller coaster for 45 minutes, it was that windy and when four people are telling you different ways to go - the driving was that bad. The good side, we were all laughing about it. The driving didn't get much better over the weekend, at one point we almost bought neck braces and helmets! Sadly, those were the best times of the weekend. No drama. While we were in house with all family members - there were about 15 of us total - it was drama filled. Every chance we had to get in the SUV and have Jessy drive us somewhere, we jumped at the opportunity. SUV = saving grace!

While I was in Chicago, I was able to see my friend Phil. Phil is a friend from Purdue that I haven't seen in 6 years. We talk every week, but haven't had the opportunity to see each other. He and his little brother (Paul) came to the graduation party. Phil, my dad and my uncle George spent the night making fun of me - which kept us all laughing for the night. He seemed to get along well with my family, so that was nice. He was able and willing to talk to anyone - after all, that is a hard situation to walk into - someones family party. Next weekend I will be seeing him in Vegas. He will be there for a bachelor party and I will be popping in for a day! Six years of not seeing him, then we see each other twice in a month. Odd how things happen!

Back from Chicago and at work - the drama continues. I am exhausted by it. Monday my boss came in my office and shut the door. She was informing me of some upcoming changes. I had an idea that one thing might happen, but I was trying to let it not happen. My friend was let go on Tuesday, Monday she was off. It broke my heart. We were finally getting along great, and now - bye bye. :( Made for an awkward day. Now I am focusing on the office move. Well, at least trying. I was told that I am allowed to paint my new office, although I don't think I will be taking that opportunity. White is fine with me.

Well I am off to get some stuff done. Have a great Thursday all!

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!!!

Sweet talk/Work/Koko

Sometimes you, well at least I do, forget how good it is to hear someone call you dear, honey, gorgeous, sweetie...etc. Eric is one of my good friends here at work. He says "hi honey" or something similar when I arrive in the morning, and i bring in food for the both of us to eat through out the day. Usually food I have made the night before. It is nice to have someone so nice around you. I was beginning to forget how nice that was. No, I am not interested in him, so please don't think that. I was just saying that it is nice to have someone make those nice comments. It makes you feel warm inside.

Okay, enough of the girl talk. Work is going well. I am still trying to recover from Boston and my parents being in town. I have been trying to prep for the next two shows and I just don't seem to have the energy. All I want to do is go outside and play. Work is not in my vocabulary. Tonight I think I will go for a walk in the park. Maybe there will be a ball game going on or something of the sort. Either that or read a book on the patio. Bart would like the second choice. He loves the patio since dad made it so he can play out there now.

Speaking of books. One of my favorite books as a child was Koko's Kitten. Yesterday I went to the Koko site and donated money to Koko and her friends. This got me back into my mode of wanting to adopt a primate! How fun would that be! Yes, messy - but they are just so very cute. If you haven't read Koko's Kitten, I strongly urge you to read it. (It takes, oh, 15 minutes!)

Hola Amigos!

Hola! Como estas? This week has been CRAZY! It feels as if it should be Friday. I am beat. Today I finished prepping most of next weeks show. All I have to do is prep the servers tomorrow or Friday and I am good to go! I do have to say, it was fun shrinking a skid again. It's been a while since I have done that.

I have been working on toning my stomach since I have been hearing about my pudginess everyday at work. And let me tell you, my tummy is sore as crap! That must mean my exercises are working!! It would be nice to be a little more fit again though. Especially since I will be seeing my old co-workers next month. It will have only been three months since I have seen them, but it is always nice to look good when you see old co-workers...ya know?!

Yesterday, my business associates decided to voice there concern for me. Apparently I was too quiet at work. They thought I was too stressed. I wasn't stressed, maybe a little, but this is my first away show with T3 and I am trying to get it right. Ship everything that I need, and prep for the show I have three weeks after I return. I was just overwhelmed, no need for them to be concerned. Although, it was kind. Eric, my friend here at work, has been busy lately. I miss him. Kinda pathetic huh? But I miss my friend. Us new guys are busy and have less time to shoot the breeze together. I did drag him to pick up an order with me, just to get some friend time in. That was fun.

Alright, I am off to wait for my shipment to get picked up. Then go home and take a nap. I need it!!

Overwhelming Wednesday

Today was a good day, when I look back. Although I do have to say, it was overwhelming. This morning I went to work with my favorite hat on, I was a happy camper!! The morning was quite busy, so it went fast. Then I had a meeting with my two bosses - and from there on out I was lost. I am not one that likes to be the "new kid" at work. I like to know what I am doing. Anywho, half of the meeting I understood, half was far over my head. All in all, i am working through it. It was work that I didn't need this week, seeing I was already swamped with a project due Friday.

My crazy work day ended early, thank goodness! I had to be home by 5 to wait for COX. My cable wasn't working in my living room. As I was waiting, I decided to go through the stack of papers that was accumulating since I moved here and pay bills. That was a nice pile to get through, and I am glad it is done. Papers are filed, bills are payed, and I even got the checks ordered!! It was a very productive afternoon. Me = happy!!!

What is everyone doing for st. patty's day. I might actually cook corn beef! I am not up for the all day drinking thing. Norm (the guy that hired me) wants me to go out with him. I might go out, but not drink. Not up for the drama!! But it might be a chance to meet some people.

OHH! So today at work, Norm put a fax on my desk - Adventure 2000. It is for single people in phoenix looking to do things and meet people. Norm put it there as a joke. Laughing, i took it to my friend Eric at work - he freakin registered me for that crap. If I get stuck going to one of those events, that jerk and his girlfriend are going with me. They have 30 events a month, speed dating, bowling, hiking. It is a great idea and all, but that is not me...i don't do speed dating. And I am not looking for a relationship, I am looking to meet friends. Anyway...it was a funny part to the day. Eric will just get a good beating for submitting my info when he least expects it!

alright - i am off to cook some din din!