Don't Judge Me!

Well... unfortunately I cant get by with not being judged. Even though it's something that happens in everyday interactions, it's taken on a whole new meaning with my current job.

At the end of each training session I conduct, the attendees fill out a survey. It's always interesting checking out the results. I havent really had a job where I received so much feedback on a regular basis. I've already been through plenty of highs & lows in such a short amount of time. The first week was pretty brutal, but subsequent results were more positive--as they should be.

Anyway, I've definitely developed a new appreciation for filling out surveys for other people though! I dont have a real point to this post, but I thought I would share my new reality with you guys/gals.

Weekend tid-bits

Another weekend has sadly come & gone... it was back to the grind today. I cant really complain though, I'm only attending classes this week & dont have the added stress of being the instructor.

I had a fun weekend. We went out to dinner Friday night & then came home, listened to music and chilled out.

Saturday was fairly busy. It's time for a new sofa, so the search began. We went to 3 different stores and didnt find a darn thing. I think this may be a lengthy search.

After that, we decided to stop and bowl a couple of games. It's been a while since we've done that and I enjoy it sometimes. I'm not particularly good, but I have fun. I will gloat for a second. I beat Hal in the first game--which rarely happens. My luck didnt hold up in the second game. I did pretty bad & didnt even break 100... oopsie.

We came home after that and pretty much stayed in the rest of the weekend.

I hope you all had a fun/relaxing weekend as well. Holla!

Election Season

Although I've vowed this isnt a political blog, I know most of the readers of this blog know my 'leanings.'

I've always thought undecided voters are ridiculous... but I've found myself being one of those people this cycle. I've been following the primary races of both parties since W was re-elected a few years ago, but I still cant make up my mind.

I dont really have a point to this post, other than to admit my hipocrisy. I'm an undecided voter...

TGI friggin F

Happy Friday, y'all! I'm so so so glad that the weekend is here. I was an instructor this week for a class of 12. They were a great group, but it's pretty exhausting at the end of the day... and especially come Friday evening.

It is exciting though getting to hear what the students do through the week while they are in Nashville. It's interesting hearing their thoughts on Music City.

I did stop by the wine store on my way home though for a special treat of Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc. I had Cloudy Bay several years ago, but it's pretty hard to come by around here. While I was shopping for wines to take to a wine party last week, I saw the Holy Grail of Cloudy Bay. I didnt buy it for the party (it's pretty expensive), but it has been on my mind all freaking week. I'm enjoying a glass as I type :)

I dont have a darn thing planned to do this weekend aside from sleep late & chill out. I hope you all have (or did have-- depending on when you read this) a great weekend!

I hope to return to a more regular blog posting schedule in the near future. Stick with me!!!

My presence was the reason?

It's been over a month (I think) since I've been to a hockey game. Worry not, I havent abandoned my team. Fair weather fan doesnt describe me.

Tonight was a surprise, though. We got tix less than 2 hours before the game. The Preds lost their last two home games... in a shootout... but Casey went to the game tonight!

And!!!

The Predators won 3-0!! My magic allowed a shut-out!

I'm just sayin'

Argentina Photos

Ok... since I've basically slacked off on posting any further Buenos Aires video's & posts, I thought it was about time that I at least included a link to the pics we took.

I hope you enjoy, there are a lot of them, so be prepared. I hope to post some more of my talky videos in the future. I had a lot of fun doing them, but apparently have to get over the fact that the conversion to youtube seriously degrades the quality.

Here's the link!

Kicking off a year -long celebration!!!

Well, I'm not, but guess who is??? Yep, The Smurfs!!! I saw a story about it on BBC America world news earlier tonight and had to check it out online.

If you never saw my room growing up in the mid 80's, you may not know that I was a H-U-G-E Smurf fan (obviously based off the cartoon series). I had Smurf curtains, bed sheets, comforter and tons of other memorabilia on the walls & stuffed Smurfs. Of course I had Smurf underoos too! :) It was a darn Smurfy existence. I was thrilled when mascot-type Smurfs visited the local Hardee's to promote their line of Smurf glasses. (Dont tell me you didnt have the whole set in your house either, ok??)

One of my best friends (and sometimes blog reader) growing up had a Smurf themed b-day party in Kindergarten. I remember coming back from lunch (or maybe waking up from a nap ) to find the invitation on my desk. I seriously believed that a real Smurf dropped it off. I guess that shows what Kingergarten tots know.

One of my favorite childhood memories is that every week or so, I got to go to the local toy store and pick out a new Smurf (the mini rubber type figure)... if I had been on my best behavior for the week. Needless to say, with a carrot like that dangling in front of me, I made a point to go to the toy store almost every week. It was an independent retailer where they actually knew their customers & knew what I wanted when my mom brought me in the store. It was always a big decision for me. I ended up with multiple versions of Smurfette... go figure!!! I still have quite a few of them.

If you want to read more (and I know you all do), Click Here for a link to the real story.

One more parting comment, Smurfette did rule the mushroom village, but I'll also admit that I heart Vanity Smurf as well :)

Broadway, baby!

Someday, I'll see a Broadway show in NYC, but until then, I must settle with the tour stops in Nashville.

Last Thursday, we went to see Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at TPAC. I've been anxious to see this for a while. Originally a movie, it was adapted for Broadway and nominated for several Tony's a few years ago.

If you dont already know, it's about two con-men in a fancy casino area on the French Riviera. They're usually successful with the con jobs but not always.

I was a bit nervous that it would suck after reading a bad review in the local paper (for whatever that is worth) and a negative comment about it from another Broadway fan (FWTIW as well).

I actually enjoyed it and was entertained most of the time (when I wasnt distracted by the lady next to me who thought EVERYTHING was LOL funny). I wanted to sshhh her so bad, but who am I to take away someone elses joy?)

The downside was that one of the 2 major characters was played by an understudy & I didnt think he was the best fit for that role. Aside from that, I had a good time and wouldnt be scared to recommend to anyone.

The year that was & it's on to the next!

Ok, y'all... 2007 is just a memory now, but... wow, what a year it was! One of the best I've had and hopefully just a hint of things to come for me in 2008!!!

Here's a recap of a few highlights:

1) I started blogging
2) I got to touch & get photographed with the Lord Stanley Cup (hockey thing if you arent in the know)
3) I saw the following concerts/performances: The First Lady of Country Music, Ms. Loretta Lynn--one of the highlights of my life, seriously--with a great friend & fellow blogger, Josh......... Bernadette Peters (another treasure), and saw Paula Poundstone's standup & actually met her
4) I went to some fun Broadway shows here in Nashville: Putnam County Spelling Bee & Sweet Charity--featuring Molly Ringwald
5) I was able to see the Nashville Symphony several times in their new, beautiful building
6) I bought two of my favorite albums of the year by Brits Amy Winehouse & Mika (love both albums)and also added to my country music women collection with Patsy, Dolly & a few others
10) I saw one of the Weathergirls sing "It's Raining Men" at the Gay Pride festival... hehe
11) I went to a lot of fun party's / events such as Wine on the River and a lot of "Wine Club" parties with a fun group of friends, as well as other smaller parties at friends house (can we say pool parties & football parties, yall?) :)
12) Luckily, I managed to escape a few brawls from either random people or people who wanted to mouth off about gay's.
13) I accepted a new position within my company
14) and definitely the highlight of the year was my first (real) international trip... to Buenos Aires. I still cant believe I was able to do that.

So there ya go... I'm sure that I'm leaving some things out. It's hard to think that 2008 can be even better, but you can darn sure bet that I'm going to try. Hal & I will celebrate 10 years together in the fall and we're already brainstorming about another fabulous trip.

BTW... we had such a nice, low-key New Years... we bought plenty of adult beverages, ingredients for a fabulous meal & stayed home... it was awesome! I loved it.

That's all for now folks!!! I really hope that all of you have a happy & prosperous 2008! Y'all rock and I'm so happy you've continued reading this blog.