Today is the International Day of Happiness!
Woo Hoo!
Read more about it HERE.
It happily coincides with the morning after a date with an uber-hottie I will call Gib.
Gib is a regular at the Super Popular National Chain Wings establishment that Julz works for. He saw me at the Globetrotters game. His parents had taken them all for a family outing, just like us.
Gib is younger than me by almost five years. divorced with two young boys. He is a former football player for Ole Miss, and is everything that implies. Tall, broad shouldered, athletic, with a megawatt smile, and cool, blue eyes. He was truly too cute to be real.
We chatted over French fries and naked tenders, while March Madness raged on around us.
He had been a lawyer, just like his father, but didn't really like it. When he relocated to Birmingham from just outside Jackson (yes, Jackson, again) his college roommate suggested he come work with him, just to get the bills paid He loved it and has been in sales ever since.
His marriage of 14 years broke up a year and a half ago after he and his wife grew apart. Unlike my friend Jody, it was not an amicable break up.
He was sweet, and polite, and engaging.
I hope our next date is somewhere not so loud
In the meantime
Let's Celebrate HAPPINESS!!
Showing posts with label O.M.G.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label O.M.G.. Show all posts
Friday, March 20, 2015
Friday, February 20, 2015
Will Wonders Never Cease
I can't believe that I am going to admit this, but I am looking forward to seeing the "Aquaman" movie.
Being a comic book junkie from way back, I have eagerly anticipated all superhero movies (and in some cases been sorely disappointed ...i.e. The Hulk) but Aquaman was never on my radar.
Until NOW.
I will definitely be seeing THIS one!
EnJOY
Being a comic book junkie from way back, I have eagerly anticipated all superhero movies (and in some cases been sorely disappointed ...i.e. The Hulk) but Aquaman was never on my radar.
Until NOW.
I will definitely be seeing THIS one!
EnJOY
Monday, August 4, 2014
Monday, July 21, 2014
"You Wanted The Best...You Got The Best!"
I went on quite the adventure this weekend!
It all started with a call from my friend, who I will call The Divine Lady K, or just K for short.
K was the younger sister of my very best high school chum. She tagged along on many of our adventures. We shared many a triumph and tragedy over the years and I consider her like a sister.
"So whatcha doin"?" She asked
I don't really recall what I was doing, but I do know that it probably had something to do with my stupid foot. Doesn't matter. What she said next was the important part.
"Wanna go with me to Atlanta to see Def Leppard and KISS? You don't have to do anything, just go with me" A trip to "Hotlanta" with good company and a free concert to see one of the most legendary rock bands of all time on their 40th anniversary tour to boot? How could I say no?
I said a little prayer that I could get Friday off (which I did...Thanks Boss) and set about trying to decide what I should wear.
In the 80's,dressing for concert going was easy....mini skirt, a cut-up tee shirt, huge belt, high topped Reeboks and video vixen hair. Some concert looks over the years....
Now that I am "over 40" trying to look "hot" but not look like the ridiculous "biker granny" was much more of a challenge.
I am a firm believer in the old adage, "just because it comes in your size, doesn't mean you should wear it,"
I settled on a black halter style top and white shorts. July in Atlanta, right? I had to have something casual enough to wear flip flops with, because there was no way I was getting my foot, still swollen from the accident, into anything else. I still looked pretty hot (or at least I thought that I did) and age appropriate. My children would be so proud.
I often joke about how surprised I am to have made it out of the 80's with hearing and hair intact. I was a big fan of the heavy metal hair bands and would attend every chance I got. My ears would ring for days after. With this in mind, I purchased a small container of foam earplugs from Wallyworld, The concert would still be loud enough to hear through them, and I would save my hearing.
Friday finally came, and it was the longest half day of my life. It was at that point that the text came. We were on "the list." Thanks to a connection that K has, we were "on the list" to be back stage.
I could not breathe.
Another Bucket List Item: Meet Legendary Rock Band
When my half day was finally over, I dashed home, threw a bunch of crap in a bag, and then paced in my living room, until K called to tell me she was on the way.
We stopped off for some lunch and were soon on our way. The drive when quickly, as we caught up on the things going on in our lives.
We knew the moment we crossed the Georgia state line because suddenly, all of the drivers with Georgia tags lost their minds.
No blinkers for lane changes
No looking back to see if anyone was there
No changing one lane at a time.
Speeding, then slamming on the brakes.
Not exactly what one would want to face without anxiety meds
Being the navigator on this adventure, it was hard to read directions and watch for idiots cutting us off left and right.
There are only a few things in Atlanta that I can get to from memory....Our office in Lithia, Six Flags and Turner Stadium. I'm kinda bummed that the Braves are moving to Cobb County, because I just got used to getting to Turner. Oh Well.
As we exited the interstate to head to our hotel. we had a lovely detour through a rather colorful side of Atlanta. Graffiti and abandoned buildings on both sides. Not exactly the place we needed to get lost.
The MapQuest directions took us several blocks around the way to get to our hotel, The Glenn Hotel.
Built in 1923 the Glenn started it's existence as an office building. It features a rooftop bar called the SkyLounge with breath taking views of downtown Atlanta, including the adjacent Centennial Olympic Park and Ferris wheel.
Just be warned, if you stay at this hotel, they ONLY VALET PARK. There is a public lot across the street but I didn't see what the cost was.
Our 8th floor room ( gulp....8th floor!!) was cozy and overlooked the park and the Ferris wheel. We took several pictures before starting to get ready for the concert.
We really didn't have time to do more than change clothes and fluff up our hair.
K was nervous about walking through the lobby in her concert outfit. I am not sure why. She looked amazing!
I told her that 1) I doubt we would ever see any of these people again and 2) we are going to a rock concert!! It was starting to rain as the little valet guy brought the car around. but we were on our way. According to the MapQuest direction from the hotel to the Aarons Ampitheatre we were only 2 exits away. A total of 10 minutes.
MapQuest DID NOT factor into account crazy Atlanta drivers, 6:00 p.m. weekend traffice, an Atlanta Braves game, or the 22,000 other fans going to the same event. The closer we got to the event, the crazier the drivers became. No one used blinkers. They would just pull along side you and then start edging over until you stopped and they got in front of you! K turned to me and said "This is why I no longer carry a gun." It took almost an hour to get off the interstate on to the road to the ampitheatre.
An Escalade limo came along side of us. Loud, very possibly drunk, rednecks hung out of every window. They hooted and yelled at every car around.
We followed a line of cars to a neighborhood where a group of residence were parking cars. For $20 we were given a spot on the grassy area of curb, within a few dozen yards of an off-duty APD officer sitting under an unbrella. K handed me a disposable rain poncho she had picked up from Wallyworld for 99 cents. We made sure we had our tickets and then we were on our way.
We had to walk an eighth of a mile, which is not bad and not that far on flat ground. But the hills and uneven sidewalks had me longing for sneakers. My foot throbbed. K recieved many whistles and cat calls as we made our way to the venue. It was drizzling just enough to have to wear the poncho. I was getting hot underneath it. Closer to the venue, we passed a man on the sidewalk, selling the exact same poncho we had, out of a Wallyworld bag. He was standing on the corner, shouting, "Rain Ponchos, Five Dollars" and holding one over his head. Nice profit.
Our first stop, after getting through the gate was the Will Call window. We had gone in through the front gate and located it easily. The helpful gentleman inside took K's license and disappeared into the office. When he came back, he did not have our passes. "You are on the wrong side" he said, shaking his head. "You have to go to the window at the back gate." He explained how to get there and we made our way through the crowd.
When we finally made it to the OTHER Will Call window, I was sweaty and my hair was droopy. But we got our wristbands and our passes.
After obtaining some refreshments, we made our way to our seats. I can honestly say these were almost the best seats I had ever had in all of my concert-going life. We were six rows from the front! The only ones better were the front row Bon Jovi seats I got in college in 1987 for the "Slippery When Wet" Tour. Seats 5 and 6 put us almost in the middle, just off house right.
The roughest part of this was that everyone, coming or going, would have only a few inches to squeeze by on the way to their seats. I raised my foot like a stork to keep others from stomping on my broken, and very swollen toes. Directly in front of us were two tall gentlemen, flanked by two short women. A short, portly lady to my left, who took up most of my standing space too. But we were under the pavillion, so it was no longer necessary to be wearing the poncho. I was glad to get it off.
As I did, I turned to see the crowd assembled on the lawn behind me. It was drizzling just enough to be icky and wet. I remembered the Bangles concert, where we had lawn seats. It had rained and I we could not sit down because the ground was so muddy. Thankfully, Oak Mountain remodeled and did away with the "lawn seating" not long after that.
Def Leppard took the stage. The crowd sang along to "Let It Go." It was very loud. For a moment I thought to myself, "Wow, this is loud." For the first time I thought of the earplugs that I had bought, still in my weekend bag, back at the hotel.
I found myself standing there staring, mouth agape. Def Leppard had been my favorite band back in the day. I had gotten to see them in concert, both immediately before, and close after, Rick Allen's accident. I never noticed any difference in the music. Lead singer, Joe Elliot, hung the moon and stars as far as I was concerned. Time had definitely taken it's toll on his signature falsettto and several familiar songs were now an octave lower.
I got to see "Love Bites," arguably one of my favorite DL songs.
Betore their set was done, it was time to meet for the back stage tour. K and I made our way to the gate. I hated to miss any more of the show, but the music was still loud enough to hear, at a comfortable level I might add, by the gate to the back stage area. We chatted with the security guard, who took this picture.
Now it was becoming very real. We were just moments away from meeting one of the most famous, legendary rock bands of all time. Through the gate we could see the back stage area. We were told that we could not take photos with our own devices, but that they would take a souvenier photo for us. That did not stop K from snapping a few shots as we waiting to take our photo.
He chuckled. I am sure that he surprised many folks that way, and I could tell by his laugh that he enjoyed catching people off guard.
They were very friendly and down to earth. Not what one would expect from rock legends, 40 years in the business. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley were both very "fan friendly," recognizing that the fans put them where they are. Gene Simmons is a perv. All I could think about was the fact that he shares his birthday with my mother. Dirty old man. Drummer Eric Singer was visibly shorted than the lot, but only after I realized that he was not wearing platform boots. "No one sees my feet" he laughed. We were technically the guests of Tommy Thayer, through K's connection, but he was the one person I didn't get a chance to speak to.
As we mingled with the others back stage, I ran into Angie Ward. She is a DJ in Atlanta. I grew up with Angie, and was around her often over the years, mainly because we share a cousin. Though she is not really my blood-relative, we still call each other "cousin". She was surprised to see me, and later posted our pic on her facebook page.
Soon the house lights dimmed and we heard the intro
"You wanted the best, You got the best! The hottest band in the world...KISS!"
With that the curtain fell, streamers fell from the sky, and the pyros went off. I was surprised at how hot they were, standing six rows back. I could not imagine standing directly in front of them. My face tingled like it was sunburned, everytime something went off. Again, I thought of the earplugs back at the hotel.
KISS did not disappoint. This was the 4th time I have seen them myself, but K's first time to see them in person. She was very excited, her camera phone, snapping pictures constantly.
They started things off with "Psycho Circus" followed by "Duece" and one of my favorites, "Shout It Out Loud."
I wasn't sure if it was the steady beat of the precussion, or if I had fallen in sync with the music. I could feel every drumbeat in my chest. K and I sang along with every tune. Newer tunes "War Machine" and "Love it Loud" followed classics "Cold Gin" and "Hide Your Heart."
About midway through the set, Paul Stanley comes to center stage. He kneeled down on his knees and openly thanked God for the blessings He has bestowed on him and the band. The other members all nodded in agreement. K turned to me, "Wow! How awesome was that?!" I just smiled, "He is giving credit where credit is due. Why do you think they have been so successful?" I think that "Lick It Up" came next.
There were fire breathing. blood spewing, a "mechanical spider", some flying, some sing-alongs, and of course, lots and lots of pyro. "Hotter Than Hell" featured a little fire breathing. Gene played my favorite absolute favorite KISS song, "God of Thunder" from high a top the mechancal spider rigging, but not until after his blood-drenched bass solo. Pau did a little flying of his own and flew over the crowd to a platform during "Love Gun" and flew back after he initiated a audience sing-along during the intro to "Black Diamond."
Crowd favorite "Detroit Rock City" was next and nearly brought the house down.
Now usually, there is a true encore, where they stop playing and then the crowd cheers and they come back out and play "Rock and Roll All Night" but Paul explained that because Atlanta had a curfew, they were not going to waste any time and launched right into the song. The crowd went wild!
K and I sang along, her phone in the air, recording everything around us.
Cannons sprayed confetti over the crowd. It was so heavy in our section that it was hard to see. At the end, as we were leaving, it looked like snowfall.
(Comically enough K even had confetti in her underwear when we got back to the hotel)
The pyrotechnic finale left us both blinking and seeing spots. The evening ended with this sign, and the recorded version of "God Gave Rock and Roll To You"
We had someone sitting nearby get this closing shot.
Red wine for K and a vodka cranberry for me. It was a little too cold to sit on the open patio, but too crowded to sit in the bar. We did find a seat on one of the couches in the dry part of the patio. The fog rolled in and the tops of the buildings were no longer visible. We shared a glass of rum punch at last call. both wishing that we had not gotten lost.
Exhausted, we both practically fell into bed, but not before I got a pic of my swollen feet.
It all started with a call from my friend, who I will call The Divine Lady K, or just K for short.
K was the younger sister of my very best high school chum. She tagged along on many of our adventures. We shared many a triumph and tragedy over the years and I consider her like a sister.
"So whatcha doin"?" She asked
I don't really recall what I was doing, but I do know that it probably had something to do with my stupid foot. Doesn't matter. What she said next was the important part.
"Wanna go with me to Atlanta to see Def Leppard and KISS? You don't have to do anything, just go with me" A trip to "Hotlanta" with good company and a free concert to see one of the most legendary rock bands of all time on their 40th anniversary tour to boot? How could I say no?
I said a little prayer that I could get Friday off (which I did...Thanks Boss) and set about trying to decide what I should wear.
In the 80's,dressing for concert going was easy....mini skirt, a cut-up tee shirt, huge belt, high topped Reeboks and video vixen hair. Some concert looks over the years....
Now that I am "over 40" trying to look "hot" but not look like the ridiculous "biker granny" was much more of a challenge.
I settled on a black halter style top and white shorts. July in Atlanta, right? I had to have something casual enough to wear flip flops with, because there was no way I was getting my foot, still swollen from the accident, into anything else. I still looked pretty hot (or at least I thought that I did) and age appropriate. My children would be so proud.
I often joke about how surprised I am to have made it out of the 80's with hearing and hair intact. I was a big fan of the heavy metal hair bands and would attend every chance I got. My ears would ring for days after. With this in mind, I purchased a small container of foam earplugs from Wallyworld, The concert would still be loud enough to hear through them, and I would save my hearing.
Friday finally came, and it was the longest half day of my life. It was at that point that the text came. We were on "the list." Thanks to a connection that K has, we were "on the list" to be back stage.
I could not breathe.
Another Bucket List Item: Meet Legendary Rock Band
When my half day was finally over, I dashed home, threw a bunch of crap in a bag, and then paced in my living room, until K called to tell me she was on the way.
We stopped off for some lunch and were soon on our way. The drive when quickly, as we caught up on the things going on in our lives.
We knew the moment we crossed the Georgia state line because suddenly, all of the drivers with Georgia tags lost their minds.
No blinkers for lane changes
No looking back to see if anyone was there
No changing one lane at a time.
Speeding, then slamming on the brakes.
Not exactly what one would want to face without anxiety meds
Being the navigator on this adventure, it was hard to read directions and watch for idiots cutting us off left and right.
There are only a few things in Atlanta that I can get to from memory....Our office in Lithia, Six Flags and Turner Stadium. I'm kinda bummed that the Braves are moving to Cobb County, because I just got used to getting to Turner. Oh Well.
As we exited the interstate to head to our hotel. we had a lovely detour through a rather colorful side of Atlanta. Graffiti and abandoned buildings on both sides. Not exactly the place we needed to get lost.
The MapQuest directions took us several blocks around the way to get to our hotel, The Glenn Hotel.
Built in 1923 the Glenn started it's existence as an office building. It features a rooftop bar called the SkyLounge with breath taking views of downtown Atlanta, including the adjacent Centennial Olympic Park and Ferris wheel.
Just be warned, if you stay at this hotel, they ONLY VALET PARK. There is a public lot across the street but I didn't see what the cost was.
Our 8th floor room ( gulp....8th floor!!) was cozy and overlooked the park and the Ferris wheel. We took several pictures before starting to get ready for the concert.
We really didn't have time to do more than change clothes and fluff up our hair.
MapQuest DID NOT factor into account crazy Atlanta drivers, 6:00 p.m. weekend traffice, an Atlanta Braves game, or the 22,000 other fans going to the same event. The closer we got to the event, the crazier the drivers became. No one used blinkers. They would just pull along side you and then start edging over until you stopped and they got in front of you! K turned to me and said "This is why I no longer carry a gun." It took almost an hour to get off the interstate on to the road to the ampitheatre.
An Escalade limo came along side of us. Loud, very possibly drunk, rednecks hung out of every window. They hooted and yelled at every car around.
We followed a line of cars to a neighborhood where a group of residence were parking cars. For $20 we were given a spot on the grassy area of curb, within a few dozen yards of an off-duty APD officer sitting under an unbrella. K handed me a disposable rain poncho she had picked up from Wallyworld for 99 cents. We made sure we had our tickets and then we were on our way.
We had to walk an eighth of a mile, which is not bad and not that far on flat ground. But the hills and uneven sidewalks had me longing for sneakers. My foot throbbed. K recieved many whistles and cat calls as we made our way to the venue. It was drizzling just enough to have to wear the poncho. I was getting hot underneath it. Closer to the venue, we passed a man on the sidewalk, selling the exact same poncho we had, out of a Wallyworld bag. He was standing on the corner, shouting, "Rain Ponchos, Five Dollars" and holding one over his head. Nice profit.
Our first stop, after getting through the gate was the Will Call window. We had gone in through the front gate and located it easily. The helpful gentleman inside took K's license and disappeared into the office. When he came back, he did not have our passes. "You are on the wrong side" he said, shaking his head. "You have to go to the window at the back gate." He explained how to get there and we made our way through the crowd.
When we finally made it to the OTHER Will Call window, I was sweaty and my hair was droopy. But we got our wristbands and our passes.
After obtaining some refreshments, we made our way to our seats. I can honestly say these were almost the best seats I had ever had in all of my concert-going life. We were six rows from the front! The only ones better were the front row Bon Jovi seats I got in college in 1987 for the "Slippery When Wet" Tour. Seats 5 and 6 put us almost in the middle, just off house right.
The roughest part of this was that everyone, coming or going, would have only a few inches to squeeze by on the way to their seats. I raised my foot like a stork to keep others from stomping on my broken, and very swollen toes. Directly in front of us were two tall gentlemen, flanked by two short women. A short, portly lady to my left, who took up most of my standing space too. But we were under the pavillion, so it was no longer necessary to be wearing the poncho. I was glad to get it off.
As I did, I turned to see the crowd assembled on the lawn behind me. It was drizzling just enough to be icky and wet. I remembered the Bangles concert, where we had lawn seats. It had rained and I we could not sit down because the ground was so muddy. Thankfully, Oak Mountain remodeled and did away with the "lawn seating" not long after that.
Def Leppard took the stage. The crowd sang along to "Let It Go." It was very loud. For a moment I thought to myself, "Wow, this is loud." For the first time I thought of the earplugs that I had bought, still in my weekend bag, back at the hotel.
I found myself standing there staring, mouth agape. Def Leppard had been my favorite band back in the day. I had gotten to see them in concert, both immediately before, and close after, Rick Allen's accident. I never noticed any difference in the music. Lead singer, Joe Elliot, hung the moon and stars as far as I was concerned. Time had definitely taken it's toll on his signature falsettto and several familiar songs were now an octave lower.
I got to see "Love Bites," arguably one of my favorite DL songs.
Betore their set was done, it was time to meet for the back stage tour. K and I made our way to the gate. I hated to miss any more of the show, but the music was still loud enough to hear, at a comfortable level I might add, by the gate to the back stage area. We chatted with the security guard, who took this picture.
Now it was becoming very real. We were just moments away from meeting one of the most famous, legendary rock bands of all time. Through the gate we could see the back stage area. We were told that we could not take photos with our own devices, but that they would take a souvenier photo for us. That did not stop K from snapping a few shots as we waiting to take our photo.
I mean, why pay attention to the guys (who we were told was the opening act) in front of you when a hot girl in a black corset and boots is taking your picture?
They were freakishly tall in their platform boots. I was really conscious of my injured foot. They were lined up for fan pictures in front of a back drop with the "Decades of Decibels" anniversary logo.
I was so starstruck, all I could do was giggle. I think that I managed a "hello" but really not sure. They smelled really nice. I heard Paul Stanley tell K that he was "gonna wrap my arms around you" and the next thing I know, Gene Simmons grabs me around the throat, my head caught in the crook of his elbow! I screamed! I am sure the shock registered on my face. SNAP! Captured for all posterity.
He chuckled. I am sure that he surprised many folks that way, and I could tell by his laugh that he enjoyed catching people off guard.
They were very friendly and down to earth. Not what one would expect from rock legends, 40 years in the business. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley were both very "fan friendly," recognizing that the fans put them where they are. Gene Simmons is a perv. All I could think about was the fact that he shares his birthday with my mother. Dirty old man. Drummer Eric Singer was visibly shorted than the lot, but only after I realized that he was not wearing platform boots. "No one sees my feet" he laughed. We were technically the guests of Tommy Thayer, through K's connection, but he was the one person I didn't get a chance to speak to.
As we mingled with the others back stage, I ran into Angie Ward. She is a DJ in Atlanta. I grew up with Angie, and was around her often over the years, mainly because we share a cousin. Though she is not really my blood-relative, we still call each other "cousin". She was surprised to see me, and later posted our pic on her facebook page.
While there was still time between sets, we bought our souvenir tee-shirts. The road crew was still working feverishly to change out the sets. The lights were up, so we took the opportunity to snap a few pictures. Soon the house lights dimmed and we heard the intro
"You wanted the best, You got the best! The hottest band in the world...KISS!"
With that the curtain fell, streamers fell from the sky, and the pyros went off. I was surprised at how hot they were, standing six rows back. I could not imagine standing directly in front of them. My face tingled like it was sunburned, everytime something went off. Again, I thought of the earplugs back at the hotel.
KISS did not disappoint. This was the 4th time I have seen them myself, but K's first time to see them in person. She was very excited, her camera phone, snapping pictures constantly.
They started things off with "Psycho Circus" followed by "Duece" and one of my favorites, "Shout It Out Loud."
I wasn't sure if it was the steady beat of the precussion, or if I had fallen in sync with the music. I could feel every drumbeat in my chest. K and I sang along with every tune. Newer tunes "War Machine" and "Love it Loud" followed classics "Cold Gin" and "Hide Your Heart."
About midway through the set, Paul Stanley comes to center stage. He kneeled down on his knees and openly thanked God for the blessings He has bestowed on him and the band. The other members all nodded in agreement. K turned to me, "Wow! How awesome was that?!" I just smiled, "He is giving credit where credit is due. Why do you think they have been so successful?" I think that "Lick It Up" came next.
There were fire breathing. blood spewing, a "mechanical spider", some flying, some sing-alongs, and of course, lots and lots of pyro. "Hotter Than Hell" featured a little fire breathing. Gene played my favorite absolute favorite KISS song, "God of Thunder" from high a top the mechancal spider rigging, but not until after his blood-drenched bass solo. Pau did a little flying of his own and flew over the crowd to a platform during "Love Gun" and flew back after he initiated a audience sing-along during the intro to "Black Diamond."
Crowd favorite "Detroit Rock City" was next and nearly brought the house down.
Now usually, there is a true encore, where they stop playing and then the crowd cheers and they come back out and play "Rock and Roll All Night" but Paul explained that because Atlanta had a curfew, they were not going to waste any time and launched right into the song. The crowd went wild!
K and I sang along, her phone in the air, recording everything around us.
Cannons sprayed confetti over the crowd. It was so heavy in our section that it was hard to see. At the end, as we were leaving, it looked like snowfall.
(Comically enough K even had confetti in her underwear when we got back to the hotel)
The pyrotechnic finale left us both blinking and seeing spots. The evening ended with this sign, and the recorded version of "God Gave Rock and Roll To You"
We had someone sitting nearby get this closing shot.
The walk back to the car was worse than the walk to the venue. It was up hill. My foot was throbbing and the wet tape was unraveling from my uber-tender toes. The car was just as we had left it and it's placement made leaving super easy. We were on the interstate in no time.
Driving back to the hotel was not as simple as following our directions in reverse. Though we were successful in getting on the interstate, there was not a corresponding exit on the opposite side of the interstate. The exit we did decide to use took us several blocks out of our way. We knew that we were across from Olympic Park and followed every sign we saw that listed it. At 11:00 p.m/ in downtown Atlanta. Great.
It started to be comical. We thought about stopping for directions but each person we approached seemed a little skeevy. "Oh, look, let's ask this fellow walking his two pit bulls who is holding up his pants with the other hand!"
We found ourselves on one of many streets named Peachtree in the city. We knew that a round, high rise was just to right of our hotel. We spotted the Westin, a round building and tried to maneuver around it but there were one way streets and dead ends all around. We still had not spotted the Ferris wheel, our main landmark, or our secondary landmark, the CNN building across the street.
I'm not sure how we finally found them, but we both cheered once we saw them.
We had less than an hour to check out the Skylounge before it closed at 1:00 a.m. The view of the city was breath taking, despite the rain and increasing fog. We took a few pictures.
Red wine for K and a vodka cranberry for me. It was a little too cold to sit on the open patio, but too crowded to sit in the bar. We did find a seat on one of the couches in the dry part of the patio. The fog rolled in and the tops of the buildings were no longer visible. We shared a glass of rum punch at last call. both wishing that we had not gotten lost.
Exhausted, we both practically fell into bed, but not before I got a pic of my swollen feet.
Saturday morning we decide to leave for Alabama not long after we got up. A stop off at Shoney's in Oxford for an all you can eat brunch rounded out our adventure.
Sunday was spent catching up on my Saturday chores and sitting around with my still swollen foot propped up on pillows.
Whew!! What a weekend!
~En JOY!
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Here We Go Again
Well, here we go again,
I have broken all the toes on my right foot once again.
I was eating dinner last night (roasted veggies = yum!) while watching a movie on my laptop through an internet-based movie provide, who shall remain nameless because it sucks really bad. "Popular Movies" should be popular in THIS country and at least be movies that you've heard of, right?!
I had plugged my dying laptop in to the wall charger and kicked back to watch a movie with Matthew Lilliard (you know, from "Scream" and the live-action "Scooby Doo") that had pretty much the same premise as "Risky Business."
Getting up to go into the kitchen for the last of my veggies, I managed to snag a toe on the charging cord. Everything else was a blur, but when I regained my faculties, I was crumpled in a heap in the floor, in the doorway to the kitchen. My bowl and glass were in the chair (Thank goodness! That could have been so much worse!). My left knee was burning and all my toes were bent under my right foot. I was instantly nauseated and suddenly freezing, despite the thermostat being set at 73.
I managed to pull myself up by the chair. My left knee, sporting a healthy strawberry mark, had begun to weep little bloody drops. I couldn't put any weight on it my right foot.
I hobbled to the bathroom, where I sat on the stool to doctor my weepy knee.
I once read that the sooner you attend to a cut or a scrape the better it heals. It was so large it took my last two band-aids to cover it.
My foot did not look bruised at that point, so I thought it might be okay. But it hurt like #$%^&*, and as the night wore on, the bruises began to appear. I remained queasy for the rest of the night (and am still a little sick now. )
By the time I decided to go to bed, this is what it looked like.
Around 2:00 a.m., after a torturous trip to the bathroom, followd by tossing and turning and not being able to get comforatable, I decided to go ahead and prepare everything for my morning ritual. I would be moving much slower, obviously, and couldn't put any weight down on my foot, not even my heel.
Last time this happened, I spent $200 at the urgent care, and another $300 at the orthopedist, only for them to "buddy tape" all my toes together (and then I had to do it myself for the remaining six weeks). I decided that this would be my course of action. That is when I discovered that there was no tape in the house.
Thank the Lord for the 24 Hour Establishment that is Wallyworld!
I did not care what I looked like, I threw on some pajama pants, my blue house shoes, grabbed my purse, and headed out.
Wallyworld is a very different place in the middle of the night. The Floor Guys, trying to refinish sections of the store; the Stock Team, dropping pallets all along the aisles; the Coupon Queens with their binders, pushing one buggy while pulling another; and those like me, obviously in the midst of some emergency.
I tried hard to walk "normal," but by the time I reached the first-aid section, I was dragging my foot like Quasimodo. When I arrived back home, I laid down on the couch, exhausted, and fell asleep.
This morning, my pre-planning helped my day along, as I nearly overslept I took a minute to asses the damage.
My foot, obviously swollen now. I set about taping all my toes together, careful to insert cotton pads in between my toes.
I have broken all the toes on my right foot once again.
I was eating dinner last night (roasted veggies = yum!) while watching a movie on my laptop through an internet-based movie provide, who shall remain nameless because it sucks really bad. "Popular Movies" should be popular in THIS country and at least be movies that you've heard of, right?!
I had plugged my dying laptop in to the wall charger and kicked back to watch a movie with Matthew Lilliard (you know, from "Scream" and the live-action "Scooby Doo") that had pretty much the same premise as "Risky Business."
Getting up to go into the kitchen for the last of my veggies, I managed to snag a toe on the charging cord. Everything else was a blur, but when I regained my faculties, I was crumpled in a heap in the floor, in the doorway to the kitchen. My bowl and glass were in the chair (Thank goodness! That could have been so much worse!). My left knee was burning and all my toes were bent under my right foot. I was instantly nauseated and suddenly freezing, despite the thermostat being set at 73.
I managed to pull myself up by the chair. My left knee, sporting a healthy strawberry mark, had begun to weep little bloody drops. I couldn't put any weight on it my right foot.
I hobbled to the bathroom, where I sat on the stool to doctor my weepy knee.
I once read that the sooner you attend to a cut or a scrape the better it heals. It was so large it took my last two band-aids to cover it.
My foot did not look bruised at that point, so I thought it might be okay. But it hurt like #$%^&*, and as the night wore on, the bruises began to appear. I remained queasy for the rest of the night (and am still a little sick now. )
By the time I decided to go to bed, this is what it looked like.
9:30 p.m.
Around 2:00 a.m., after a torturous trip to the bathroom, followd by tossing and turning and not being able to get comforatable, I decided to go ahead and prepare everything for my morning ritual. I would be moving much slower, obviously, and couldn't put any weight down on my foot, not even my heel.
Last time this happened, I spent $200 at the urgent care, and another $300 at the orthopedist, only for them to "buddy tape" all my toes together (and then I had to do it myself for the remaining six weeks). I decided that this would be my course of action. That is when I discovered that there was no tape in the house.
Thank the Lord for the 24 Hour Establishment that is Wallyworld!
I did not care what I looked like, I threw on some pajama pants, my blue house shoes, grabbed my purse, and headed out.
Wallyworld is a very different place in the middle of the night. The Floor Guys, trying to refinish sections of the store; the Stock Team, dropping pallets all along the aisles; the Coupon Queens with their binders, pushing one buggy while pulling another; and those like me, obviously in the midst of some emergency.
I tried hard to walk "normal," but by the time I reached the first-aid section, I was dragging my foot like Quasimodo. When I arrived back home, I laid down on the couch, exhausted, and fell asleep.
This morning, my pre-planning helped my day along, as I nearly overslept I took a minute to asses the damage.
What is left of the "strawberry" this morning. I immediately put polysporin on and covered up with two bandaids. It looks much better this morning and stopped bleeding.
My foot, obviously swollen now. I set about taping all my toes together, careful to insert cotton pads in between my toes.
I slid my now swollen foot into the most forgiving house shoe I could find and hobbled off to work.
I seriously thought about calling in, and may still.
In a few days, if it is obvious that things are not improving, I will head to the doctor. For now, this will do.
Here we go again. But it's okay, I've been here before.
~En-JOY
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Unspeakable
I am heartbroken today.
My friend Miracle Mary's son was attacked yesterday.
I can not believe that we live in a world where there on those who prey on the innocent.
Big P is a young man in his mid teens, with sandy blonde hair and blue eyes. Like any other red-blooded teenaged boy, he is quite the ladies man, always wanting to be paired up with our prettiest volunteers. His love of baseball is legendary and he would play morning, noon, and night if we'd let him. Big P has Prader-Willi Syndrome, a genetic chromosonal disorder. It occurs one in every 25,000 births. We just happen to have two boys with PWS at the Miracle League, the odds of which are pretty astronomical.
While in Gainesville for a Prader-Willi study, Miracle Mary and Big P went to eat lunch at a local restaurant where the unspeakable happened.
Big P was attacked in the bathroom. He was either cut or stabbed, resulting in multiple lacerations to his back and buttocks. He required 70 stitches to close his wounds.
Miracle Mary posted this picture of his pants.
While being questioned, Big P told officers that a man in the bathroom had pushed him into the sink very hard. So hard that the sink was off the wall and water was flooding the bathroom when they found him. They asked him the same questions several different ways and the story never deviated.
I can not even imagine what may have happened to provoke such an attack.
Nor do I want to.
My friend Miracle Mary's son was attacked yesterday.
I can not believe that we live in a world where there on those who prey on the innocent.
Big P is a young man in his mid teens, with sandy blonde hair and blue eyes. Like any other red-blooded teenaged boy, he is quite the ladies man, always wanting to be paired up with our prettiest volunteers. His love of baseball is legendary and he would play morning, noon, and night if we'd let him. Big P has Prader-Willi Syndrome, a genetic chromosonal disorder. It occurs one in every 25,000 births. We just happen to have two boys with PWS at the Miracle League, the odds of which are pretty astronomical.
While in Gainesville for a Prader-Willi study, Miracle Mary and Big P went to eat lunch at a local restaurant where the unspeakable happened.
Big P was attacked in the bathroom. He was either cut or stabbed, resulting in multiple lacerations to his back and buttocks. He required 70 stitches to close his wounds.
Miracle Mary posted this picture of his pants.
While being questioned, Big P told officers that a man in the bathroom had pushed him into the sink very hard. So hard that the sink was off the wall and water was flooding the bathroom when they found him. They asked him the same questions several different ways and the story never deviated.
I can not even imagine what may have happened to provoke such an attack.
Nor do I want to.
Friday, June 20, 2014
Rockin' It For the Weekend
Yesterday on my way into work I heard something unimaginable; an 11 year old California girl has qualified for match play in the US Women's Open in Pinehurst North Carolina.
I will let that sink in for a minute.
11 years old. E L E V E N
What were you doing when you were eleven?
Eleven year old Lucy Li is the youngest person to ever qualify for the tournement, surpassing Lexi Thompson, who qualified at 12.
The pictures of her after the first day of play, show her calmly noshing on an ice cream cone, like 11 year olds are supposed to be doing, and discussing her day with the press. Finishing 8 over par, just 11 strokes behind the leader, the number one golfer in the world, Stacy Lewis.
Amazing!
If you've got it ....Rock It!
Rock on, Lucy, Rock on
I will let that sink in for a minute.
11 years old. E L E V E N
What were you doing when you were eleven?
Eleven year old Lucy Li is the youngest person to ever qualify for the tournement, surpassing Lexi Thompson, who qualified at 12.
The pictures of her after the first day of play, show her calmly noshing on an ice cream cone, like 11 year olds are supposed to be doing, and discussing her day with the press. Finishing 8 over par, just 11 strokes behind the leader, the number one golfer in the world, Stacy Lewis.
Amazing!
If you've got it ....Rock It!
Rock on, Lucy, Rock on
"Just The Way You Are" - Bruno Mars - 2009
Doo-Wops and Hooligans - Elektra
Speaking of Rockin' I will be rocking it this weekend at Rock The South in Cullman Alabama! Originally intended to raise money for tornado relief from the 2011 storms that devastated our area, now is used to raise money for a variety of local charites. I am only interested in seeing Lynyrd Skynyrd, but the rest of my entourage are more country fans than I am, so we should all have a great time. I CAN'T WAIT!
Then, I start my much deserved vacation
~En-JOY!!
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Another Birthday!
Happy 43rd Birthday to former major leaguer Ryan Klesko!
Now anyone who knows me well, knows that Ryan Klesko is my ultimate man-crush. Above Matthew McConnaughey, above John Cusack, above Kevin James, above Fred Durst. As a matter of fact, those are my top five "leave my life and run away with" guys.
I first became a fan of his when he was a member of the Atlanta Braves fron 1992 to 1999. My grandfathter got me watching baseball and the Turner network played every single game. When he relocated to the West coast to play for San Diego and later San Francisco, I could not follow as easily because their games were not always televised here.
A permaplaque photo from the 1995 World Series hung in my home, along side my family photos, until we moved to our new home in 2000.
He announced his retirement in 2008 and dropped off the radar.
Imagine my surprise when I returned to work from a one day vacation in 2012 and learned that he had been a guest at my office! I cried for nearly an hour!!
Later, I learned that he would be back! And because I was such a fan, they would give me the opportunity to meet him and if he was willing, get a picture with him.
I could hardly contain myself when the day came. He was super nice! My coworkers had told him what a huge fan I was and quizzed me right in front of him about his facts and stats. I told him about going to a sports memorbilia show to get his autograph. He had been late coming in from Atlanta and had gotten pulled over. He was nearly 45 minutes late. I was probably 20 people from getting my autograph when they pulled him from his seat to rush him off back to another scheduled appearance. He had apologized profusely. He said that he never liked being "over scheduled" and loved meeting the fans.
When I asked for a picture with him, he was more than happy to comply. He whipped off his ball cap and pulled me in close. You can not see from the photo how I blushed, but I was suddenly hot and sweaty from head to toe.
Now anyone who knows me well, knows that Ryan Klesko is my ultimate man-crush. Above Matthew McConnaughey, above John Cusack, above Kevin James, above Fred Durst. As a matter of fact, those are my top five "leave my life and run away with" guys.
I first became a fan of his when he was a member of the Atlanta Braves fron 1992 to 1999. My grandfathter got me watching baseball and the Turner network played every single game. When he relocated to the West coast to play for San Diego and later San Francisco, I could not follow as easily because their games were not always televised here.
A permaplaque photo from the 1995 World Series hung in my home, along side my family photos, until we moved to our new home in 2000.
He announced his retirement in 2008 and dropped off the radar.
Imagine my surprise when I returned to work from a one day vacation in 2012 and learned that he had been a guest at my office! I cried for nearly an hour!!
Later, I learned that he would be back! And because I was such a fan, they would give me the opportunity to meet him and if he was willing, get a picture with him.
I could hardly contain myself when the day came. He was super nice! My coworkers had told him what a huge fan I was and quizzed me right in front of him about his facts and stats. I told him about going to a sports memorbilia show to get his autograph. He had been late coming in from Atlanta and had gotten pulled over. He was nearly 45 minutes late. I was probably 20 people from getting my autograph when they pulled him from his seat to rush him off back to another scheduled appearance. He had apologized profusely. He said that he never liked being "over scheduled" and loved meeting the fans.
When I asked for a picture with him, he was more than happy to comply. He whipped off his ball cap and pulled me in close. You can not see from the photo how I blushed, but I was suddenly hot and sweaty from head to toe.
After it was taken, he said "Lemme see" and I pulled it up on my phone for him. He said "Awww maaan! My hair is jacked!" He offered to take another, but I thought I may have a heart attack before I could get out of there. I told him this one was fine.
Later, my coworker, Dave, came to my office. He held out his hand. In it was a baseball. He said as he had walked Ryan back to his truck, Ryan had fished this baseball out of the floorboard. It's was obviously used, probably a discarded ball that he used to play with the dogs.
"Hey, take this to Joy" he had said, as he scrawled this message and his signature on it. "Tell her I'm sorry it's so scuffed up, but it's all I've got on me."
I wouldn't trade this chewed up ball for all the gold in the world.
Happy Birthday Ryan! I hope it's a good one!
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Giddy Up!
I'm feeling a little giddy today.
I'm not sure if it is from the new attention (and interest!!) I am suddenly getting from an old friend, whom I will call "The W", or the lack of my heart medication for the last two days.
Either way, I am feeling happier than I have in a very long while.
I'm not sure if it is from the new attention (and interest!!) I am suddenly getting from an old friend, whom I will call "The W", or the lack of my heart medication for the last two days.
Either way, I am feeling happier than I have in a very long while.
Walking on Sunshine ~ Katrina and the Waves
(self titled album - 1983)
~En-JOY!
Friday, May 2, 2014
Talledega Nights
Well it is that time again....
It's a Talledega race weekend. Ugg.
Talledega is only 45 minutes from my home along the same stretch of I-20. Twice a year for 3 whole days, life is unbearable. But the tourist money is good, so I guess I shouldn't complain.
"Welcome Race Fans" banners and flags will be everywhere.
The RV's and the Winnebegos and other motor coaches pulling trialers with grills and hot tubs started arriving yesterday. This evening, traffic may very well be at a standstill.The locals (and that stretches all the way out to folks in Birmingham) make use of backroads to get around and avoid the traffic.
Grocery stores will be packed, as tourists buy those last minute race snacks. One won't be able to get into a local restaruant, like Cracker Barrell and Waffle House. Oh, and guess what: my county STILL doesn't sell beer on Sundays, Praise Jesus. Heathens. Shop for it on Saturday night like the rest of us Baptists.
I don't have Miracle League this weekend (we do schedule around it) so I will be in hibernation.
In honor of the upcoming nights in Talledega, I present this clip from Talledega Nights, featuring my brother, Dooder. Look for him on the left side of your screen. He is the fella sitting next to Michael Clark Duncan (Lord rest his soul) on the platform.
Yes, we know he looks like Dale Earnhardt. That irony was not lost on the film makers either.
Pardon the language, y'all.
~En-Joy
It's a Talledega race weekend. Ugg.
Talledega is only 45 minutes from my home along the same stretch of I-20. Twice a year for 3 whole days, life is unbearable. But the tourist money is good, so I guess I shouldn't complain.
"Welcome Race Fans" banners and flags will be everywhere.
The RV's and the Winnebegos and other motor coaches pulling trialers with grills and hot tubs started arriving yesterday. This evening, traffic may very well be at a standstill.The locals (and that stretches all the way out to folks in Birmingham) make use of backroads to get around and avoid the traffic.
Grocery stores will be packed, as tourists buy those last minute race snacks. One won't be able to get into a local restaruant, like Cracker Barrell and Waffle House. Oh, and guess what: my county STILL doesn't sell beer on Sundays, Praise Jesus. Heathens. Shop for it on Saturday night like the rest of us Baptists.
I don't have Miracle League this weekend (we do schedule around it) so I will be in hibernation.
In honor of the upcoming nights in Talledega, I present this clip from Talledega Nights, featuring my brother, Dooder. Look for him on the left side of your screen. He is the fella sitting next to Michael Clark Duncan (Lord rest his soul) on the platform.
Yes, we know he looks like Dale Earnhardt. That irony was not lost on the film makers either.
Pardon the language, y'all.
~En-Joy
Monday, April 21, 2014
Back to the Rat Race
With his big work project looming in the very near future, Saturday evening with L/G was a quiet night watching movies.
And just who would be a perfect match for a woman who doesn't like to cook?
A MAN WHO DOES!
The fritatta that morning had been a pleasant surprise but I didn't really question it. I mean what bachelor doesn't know how to make ONE fancy dish, right?
But dinner was a diffrent story. He made stir-fried rice and shrimp with sauteed asparagus.
He had all the right pans, including a WOK! He had all the right utensils.
He even had ghee, that he had made himself.
He wouldn't let me do anything. I watched from the doorway, amazed.
Add a little white wine, and dinner was served.
Sunday morning came quickly. L/G made me bacon and eggs with grits and fresh fruit drizzled in honey. We discussed the benefits of ice cold chocolate milk.
I packed for home; he packed for his trip.
We discussed what happens next.
I had not planned to leave until 3:00pm, but a text from Julz sped things up: "Where Are You?!"
I texted back"...um, you KNOW where I am..."
Smart Retort: "Don't be smart. We are broke down on the interstate"
Omigosh!
"Leaving now. Keep me informed"
I rushed my goodbye. He told me to call him when I made it home.
I was almost two hours away from where Julz and Twin G, wife, and baby, were stranded on the interstate just outside of Meridian MS. I would have to drive right by them.
As I drove toward them, I thought about how in just two days, L/G had treated me better than I had been treated in the last two years (maybe more) of my marriage. A man that had promised before God to share my life and love, raise a family together, yet took me for granted, and in the end. just threw me away like I was nothing. L/G, on the other hand. barely knew me, yet, he opened his home to me, cooked for me, thought of things that would entertain me, and expected nothing in return. A true gentleman, in every sense of the word.
I made it into Meridian about the same time that the text came that my former in-laws had arrived on the scene, as did the tow-truck and Julz and the Twin G family were safe. I offered to venture off the interstate to retrieve her and bring her home, but she declined. Her new beau was already en route.
So I was free to go back to the rat race.
As I drove back into town, I drove with a new found peace. L/G had done his best to make sure my visit was drama free. He was decisive, analytical and logical. Everything had been planned out and executed to a tee.I didn't have to lift a finger. A truly relaxing weekend.
As I came in, the cats were happy to see me. They fought for a spot in my lap. I called L/G, who was glad that I made it home safe and made it in really good time. So nice to have someone who cares. We discussed his upcoming visit and all the logistics.
Something to look forward to - I can hardly wait!
Until then...
~En-JOY reading!
And just who would be a perfect match for a woman who doesn't like to cook?
A MAN WHO DOES!
The fritatta that morning had been a pleasant surprise but I didn't really question it. I mean what bachelor doesn't know how to make ONE fancy dish, right?
But dinner was a diffrent story. He made stir-fried rice and shrimp with sauteed asparagus.
He had all the right pans, including a WOK! He had all the right utensils.
He even had ghee, that he had made himself.
He wouldn't let me do anything. I watched from the doorway, amazed.
Add a little white wine, and dinner was served.
Sunday morning came quickly. L/G made me bacon and eggs with grits and fresh fruit drizzled in honey. We discussed the benefits of ice cold chocolate milk.
I packed for home; he packed for his trip.
We discussed what happens next.
I had not planned to leave until 3:00pm, but a text from Julz sped things up: "Where Are You?!"
I texted back"...um, you KNOW where I am..."
Smart Retort: "Don't be smart. We are broke down on the interstate"
Omigosh!
"Leaving now. Keep me informed"
I rushed my goodbye. He told me to call him when I made it home.
I was almost two hours away from where Julz and Twin G, wife, and baby, were stranded on the interstate just outside of Meridian MS. I would have to drive right by them.
As I drove toward them, I thought about how in just two days, L/G had treated me better than I had been treated in the last two years (maybe more) of my marriage. A man that had promised before God to share my life and love, raise a family together, yet took me for granted, and in the end. just threw me away like I was nothing. L/G, on the other hand. barely knew me, yet, he opened his home to me, cooked for me, thought of things that would entertain me, and expected nothing in return. A true gentleman, in every sense of the word.
I made it into Meridian about the same time that the text came that my former in-laws had arrived on the scene, as did the tow-truck and Julz and the Twin G family were safe. I offered to venture off the interstate to retrieve her and bring her home, but she declined. Her new beau was already en route.
So I was free to go back to the rat race.
As I drove back into town, I drove with a new found peace. L/G had done his best to make sure my visit was drama free. He was decisive, analytical and logical. Everything had been planned out and executed to a tee.I didn't have to lift a finger. A truly relaxing weekend.
As I came in, the cats were happy to see me. They fought for a spot in my lap. I called L/G, who was glad that I made it home safe and made it in really good time. So nice to have someone who cares. We discussed his upcoming visit and all the logistics.
Something to look forward to - I can hardly wait!
Until then...
~En-JOY reading!
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Lunch at Brent's
I only had one must-do item on my visit to Jackson: Have a burger at Brent's Drugs.
Opened in 1946 by Dr. Alvin Brent, this business soon became a Jackson icon. It is also the setting for the diner scenes in the movie, "The Help."
L/G indulged me, and after touring some of the quaint bedroom neighborhoods, we stopped by for lunch.
The interior was an interesting mix of new and old. Booths and tables in turquoise and white. Memorabilia lined the walls. The staff was equally as eclectic. The place was packed. We took a seat at the empty book of the end.
They were very busy. The staff was somewhat stressed. They were out of cups an silverware. Two young mothers with their young children, a boy about 18 months and a girl about 3, sat down in the booth next to us. The little girl kept making eyes at L/G over the divider between our booths. I couldn't blame her. He is very handsome and he was all too happy to flirt back with her.
While waiting we found The Apothecary in the back, the newest edition to Jackson's night life.
The waitress didn't even blink when I ordered my burger without the bun. I ordered a side order of fries. L/G ordered the cheeseburger. The burger was a pretty typical diner burger.
After lunch L/G took my photo
Opened in 1946 by Dr. Alvin Brent, this business soon became a Jackson icon. It is also the setting for the diner scenes in the movie, "The Help."
L/G indulged me, and after touring some of the quaint bedroom neighborhoods, we stopped by for lunch.
The interior was an interesting mix of new and old. Booths and tables in turquoise and white. Memorabilia lined the walls. The staff was equally as eclectic. The place was packed. We took a seat at the empty book of the end.
They were very busy. The staff was somewhat stressed. They were out of cups an silverware. Two young mothers with their young children, a boy about 18 months and a girl about 3, sat down in the booth next to us. The little girl kept making eyes at L/G over the divider between our booths. I couldn't blame her. He is very handsome and he was all too happy to flirt back with her.
While waiting we found The Apothecary in the back, the newest edition to Jackson's night life.
The waitress didn't even blink when I ordered my burger without the bun. I ordered a side order of fries. L/G ordered the cheeseburger. The burger was a pretty typical diner burger.
After lunch L/G took my photo
Here are a few shots from the movie for comparison
We were down here on the end in the last booth
(to be continued)
Thursday, April 17, 2014
The Bold Adventurer Succeeds the Best
"The bold adventurer succeeds the best" ~ Ovid
With an invitation, and an open mind and heart, I set my course.
After a four hour drive (and not getting lost once = score!) I made it to the Mississippi home of my friend. Meanwhile, Julz was making her way to the Mississippi Gulf coast, with the former in-laws for the wedding of Twin B. That will play into the story later.
The Lifeguard was happy to see me and that I had made it safe. He was every bit as handsome as I had remembered. He said that my pictures on Facebook had not done me justice.
After settling in, and a short drive around the Ross Barnett Reservoir , we decided on dinner at a local Asian restaurant.
As someone who was no longer used to a man opening doors for me, I was unaccustomed to that, and other kindnesses L/G was showing to me. He wanted to treat me like a lady should be treated, and it was obvious that it was his habit. I have been a "fend for myself" girl for as long as I can remember. I had never been out with anyone like this before. It was nice, even for a control freak like me.
After getting out of the truck myself, L/G gently reminded me that he would get the restaurant door for me. Remembering my gluten issue, he quizzed me on foods I could eat and what to avoid. Traditional Asian cuisine is to be eaten family style, small servings from larger plates. He not only ordered our dinner, he plated my food and served it to me. Wow, girl could get used to this.
We talked about our work and his big project. Our waitress was the wife of one of his team members, so the service was excellent. As we made our way back to his truck, he complimented me on how cute I looked. I never quite knew how to take a compliment, simply because I would get them so rarely. I did manage to remember to say "thank you." I was wearing my favorite "Angels and Diamonds" tee shirt and black dress pants. I had forgotten to put on my heels, still in the back seat of my car, so I was wearing the rhinestone flip-flops that I drove over wearing. We drove back through the bustling shopping area to L/G's home. As we passed both a Waffle House and a Walmart, I couldn't help but think things would be okay.
Back at his home, he showed me to my room. I changed into my lounging clothes, a Championship tee shirt and shorts. Over a few cocktails we continued our conversation that we had started at dinner. We talked about our children. His son is also in his twenties. He showed me a photo of him, playing guitar. We could have easily talked late into the night, but after my long drive and with a big day ahead, we retired. The bed, that I later learned was brand new, was very comfy.
The next morning I was greeted with fresh fruit and a frittata.
After running a few errands...
It was off to see a few sights.
L/G enjoys photography, a shared interest of mine.
He carried his infrared camera, that makes everything that is green appear white in the photo. He shot several of the same photos I have taken here. Like this one
With an invitation, and an open mind and heart, I set my course.
After a four hour drive (and not getting lost once = score!) I made it to the Mississippi home of my friend. Meanwhile, Julz was making her way to the Mississippi Gulf coast, with the former in-laws for the wedding of Twin B. That will play into the story later.
The Lifeguard was happy to see me and that I had made it safe. He was every bit as handsome as I had remembered. He said that my pictures on Facebook had not done me justice.
After settling in, and a short drive around the Ross Barnett Reservoir , we decided on dinner at a local Asian restaurant.
As someone who was no longer used to a man opening doors for me, I was unaccustomed to that, and other kindnesses L/G was showing to me. He wanted to treat me like a lady should be treated, and it was obvious that it was his habit. I have been a "fend for myself" girl for as long as I can remember. I had never been out with anyone like this before. It was nice, even for a control freak like me.
After getting out of the truck myself, L/G gently reminded me that he would get the restaurant door for me. Remembering my gluten issue, he quizzed me on foods I could eat and what to avoid. Traditional Asian cuisine is to be eaten family style, small servings from larger plates. He not only ordered our dinner, he plated my food and served it to me. Wow, girl could get used to this.
We talked about our work and his big project. Our waitress was the wife of one of his team members, so the service was excellent. As we made our way back to his truck, he complimented me on how cute I looked. I never quite knew how to take a compliment, simply because I would get them so rarely. I did manage to remember to say "thank you." I was wearing my favorite "Angels and Diamonds" tee shirt and black dress pants. I had forgotten to put on my heels, still in the back seat of my car, so I was wearing the rhinestone flip-flops that I drove over wearing. We drove back through the bustling shopping area to L/G's home. As we passed both a Waffle House and a Walmart, I couldn't help but think things would be okay.
Back at his home, he showed me to my room. I changed into my lounging clothes, a Championship tee shirt and shorts. Over a few cocktails we continued our conversation that we had started at dinner. We talked about our children. His son is also in his twenties. He showed me a photo of him, playing guitar. We could have easily talked late into the night, but after my long drive and with a big day ahead, we retired. The bed, that I later learned was brand new, was very comfy.
The next morning I was greeted with fresh fruit and a frittata.
After running a few errands...
It was off to see a few sights.
There was a community Easter Egg Hunt going on so the grounds were crawling with little kids!
L/G enjoys photography, a shared interest of mine.
He carried his infrared camera, that makes everything that is green appear white in the photo. He shot several of the same photos I have taken here. Like this one
He also took this picture of me with the enormous azaleas they had growing there.
(to be continued...)
~En-Joy!
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Nothing Ventured
It's time for the weekend recap. But to tell this story properly, I need to give a little background.
The summer of 1987, my mother carried my brother and me to a resort in Fort Walton Beach. We spent nearly a week there. This was an annual trip for us and we always enjoyed the resort. Laying out on the pool deck, my brother skateboarding all over the complex, touristy attractions within walking distance. And of course, the sugar-white sands of a Gulf of Mexico beach. Paradise just 4 hours from home.
On my second day there, while strolling on the beach, I met the two beach lifeguards on duty. Being a community lifeguard myself, we had some common ground to start a conversation. And that kids, is how I met your father. Just Kidding.
But, that is really where this story begins. On a beach, in 1987. And this guy. Let's call him The Lifeguard, or L/G for short.
The summer of 1987, my mother carried my brother and me to a resort in Fort Walton Beach. We spent nearly a week there. This was an annual trip for us and we always enjoyed the resort. Laying out on the pool deck, my brother skateboarding all over the complex, touristy attractions within walking distance. And of course, the sugar-white sands of a Gulf of Mexico beach. Paradise just 4 hours from home.
On my second day there, while strolling on the beach, I met the two beach lifeguards on duty. Being a community lifeguard myself, we had some common ground to start a conversation. And that kids, is how I met your father. Just Kidding.
But, that is really where this story begins. On a beach, in 1987. And this guy. Let's call him The Lifeguard, or L/G for short.
Flash Forward: Through the modern marvel that is Facebook, we reconnected some years back. I told him about my family; he told me about his. Very similar stories: Marriages, divorces, children, step-children. We had both enjoyed photography, a common intrerest so long ago, but L/G had pursued it more seriously. His Facebook was filled with photos he had taken of the things around him and places he had been. We would chat from time to time. I would post pics of my family, he would post pics of him and his girlfriend on vacation. Once, when he was between girlfriends, I had tried to fix him up with one of my pageant friends who also lived in his area, but it didn't work out. I had told her that if I were single myself, I'd be on him like white on rice. That was the really the last time I had "talked" to him.
I'm not sure when he disappeared from Facebook, maybe a year or so ago. But he reappeared a few weeks ago. Around his birthday. I sent him a birthday wish (don't you love Facebook?!) And when he reappeared again, all signs of the current girlfriend were gone.
Time to step off the sideline.
I send him a PM. I tell him what has been going on. L/G tells me what has been going on. We both agree we are better off.
We chat back and forth over the next several days. He tells me about a big project at work that his is starting. I tell him about some childish drama unfolding on my end. He suggests that I get away from it all. He invites me to come stay with him for the weekend. He's got the room. He'd enjoy the company. I'd have my own bedroom and bathroom.
One of my favorite movies was filmed in his town. There is historical interest. Why not?
(To be continued...)
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