This Bugs Me

Okay... so I saw a soft news story this morning that, well... bugged me!

It talked about how since we had such a mild winter with no long, hard freeze, the bugs were coming out a little earlier this year. Eww... not good. Not that we ever really have a bug problem here, but I can say that is one of the few perks I find with winter... NO BUGS!

I never realized how refreshing that was until I lived it. Growing up in FL, there really was no off-season for bugs. There were there, in some form, all year long. Obviously, some times of the year were worse than others... but they never completely went away. Winter in IN... well, not so much as even a spider to scurry across the floor! Such a nice break!

So as much as I loved this wonderfully mild winter, I'm not looking forward to an early onset of bugs. Maybe it'll stay dry long enough to keep mosquitos at bay for awhile... they love me here, for some reason. Never used to have an issue... but now they love me.

*sigh*


At least it'll be warmer!

Celebrations!

I don't think I've ever had so many 'going-ons' so early in the year! I've been going non-stop, it seems, since the 1st of the year - what gives??

So to add to my already business for the year, and right after getting back from last weekend's wedding, I had some birthdays and a bachelorette party this weekend. If I learned nothing else this weekend, it's that I'm not as young as I used to be because I am WORN OUT!

The birthdays kind of spanned the whole weekend, starting out with some drinks on Saturday and ending with some dinner at their house on Sunday. The birthday duo was our former neighbors, Dave & Amber, which anything with them turns out to be nothing but a blast! Throw some of our other neighbors in the mix and it turns into an unforgettable event! Our neighbors (and former neighbors) rock!

The bachelorette party was for a friend of mine, Jen. We started out with some dinner, saw a 'show', and then went dancing. So you're wondering about the 'show'? Well, if you're from Indy, just saying Talbott Street will likely give it away. We saw the 'Ladies of Legends'... which for those of you NOT from here, it's a drag show. And let me tell you, there are female impersonators, and then there are queens... these were queens!

So another weekend of fun behind me. Up next? Another wedding! I think things slow down a bit at the end of March. Maybe.

One Step at a Time...

I have a closet. I know it may not sound like much, but this is HUGE!!

Eric and I have been working on a master bath renovation for... well... let's just say too long and leave it at that. The renovation included his and hers walk-ins.Our 'closet situation' was somewhat ridiculous... he had this tiny closet in one of the other bedrooms, and my 'closet' was essentially racks in yet another bedroom. Such a pain in the butt to get ready in the morning! We started the renovation awhile ago, with the plan to have it ALL done last fall. When that didn't happen, we decided to focus on the closets - something we could control - and at least have a complete bedroom (while waiting for the bath part).

So just before the Super Bowl, we finished. We had closets!! So why didn't I write about this earlier? Well, I didn't feel complete until 2 weekends ago with the 'organization' part of it, and didn't finish moving into it until this past week. But now that I have, it is SO wonderful! Just to have everything in one place where I can actually SEE it all!

*sigh*

Now if only we can make the bathroom magically appear.

A Wedding in Spokane

It seems like just when I think everyone I know is married, I get another invitation for a wedding. Not a bad thing... just kind of interesting.

I actually knew this one was coming, so it really wasn't a surprise. Another one of Eric's cousins, Grant, who is also a Naval Academy grad, finally met his someone and asked her to marry him last year. He posted all about the sweet beach proposal on Facebook, so when the inviation arrived, it was just about the details at that point. And the main detail, besides the date... the fact that it was in Spokane, WA.

Eric and I planned on going no matter what, but as a nice surprise, we were able to get Eric's Dad out there, as well! He hadn't seen his brother or his brother's family in years, so it was a bit of a reunion, too! We flew out on Saturday morning, which put us in Spokane around noon... love the time change going out, though it did make for a long day by the time we went to bed. But Saturday was the day with the rehearsal and bachelor/bachelorette parties, so it was going to be a later night, regardless! But it was a great time with everyone and a lot of 'catching up' happened, as well.

During the day on Sunday, the three of us did some site seeing on a scenic tour around Spokane and the Spokane River basin. It was amazing how much the terrain changed in that small of an area! There was a lot of beauty to take in, though. Since we followed the river for a good part of the way, we saw lots of mountains and rock formations along the way. As we left the river, we saw a lot of rolling plains and farmland, potatoes, mostly (we think). It was also interesting to see how many of the locals lived... they used their land for whatever they wanted to - we got some laughs out of some of the properties we saw.

Sunday evening was the wedding. It was held at The Historic Davenport Hotel, which was actually restored at the turn of the century. It is a beautiful hotel! Grant and Carrie were married in one of the smaller ballrooms (it was a relatively small wedding) and then we had dinner in another room after all the pictures were complete. They did the traditional 'Arch of Sabers' the Navy does at weddings, which is really cool to watch. It's actually really romantic to watch. The whole thing was very beautiful, actually, and I was so glad we went. I think it's important to make it to these family events if you can.

This morning, we woke up and had breakfast with some of the family before heading to the aiport and losing 4 hours during our flight back. LONG day again... why does travelling wear you out so much?? regardless, it was a great time in Spokane. Fun with family, a beautiful wedding, and new scenary... always makes a good trip.

P.S. I also uploaded pictures to my Fotki page if you want to check them out.

My Snowy Valentine

So with the Super Bowl over, we can now get back to our normally scheduled programming... er... life. First up... Valentine's Day!

Normally, I don't post anything special for Valentine's Day. Don't get me wrong, I'm one of those gushy saps that LOVES Valentine's Day... but I don't normally gush about it online... too much. But this year was nice, it its simple way.

It started out nightmarish for traffic this morning... I say that without actually having to go into it, thankfully... but I heard horror stories! it was one of the few 'significant' snowfalls we've had this winter... and it wasn't even two inches!! But once again, it was the timing... overnight and into morning rush hour. It's amazing how people forget how to drive so quickly. But on my end, it was pretty to look at and watch fall to the ground... my drive was the standard, easy drive up the major thoroughfare of the City... plowed and salted long before anything could happen.

So back to Valentine's Day. After an uneventful day at work, I came out to most of the snow melted and wet roads to drive home on... that's right, we were above freezing and every bit of snow that had been was melting. So I headed home to wait for our chef. What?? Oh yeah... that was the fun!! Our caterer from our wedding reception does a Valentine's Day dinner delivery, and we took advantage of it this year! Four courses, including scrumptious items like crabcakes, monkfish, and braised beef short ribs! Oh, it was so good... and it was SO easy!! He did all the prep work and delivered it all with really easy instructions on how to reheat! Made for an easy dinner in that was probably better than most restaurants we'd go to! And probably cheaper, too, for the quality of food we got!

And just like that, it was time to relax. Since we didn't have to do prep work or even cooking, there was little to clean up and we could enjoy each other's company. No driving to worry about, no mess to clean up... couldn't have asked for a better Valentine's Day. Simple and sweet.

Parties and the Big Game

I wish I could say I had tickets to tonight's game. But alas, I do not. But I did try to get out and do as much as possible otherwise. I guess that's obvious up until this blog.

On the first weekend, Eric and I went to the 'cheap' after-hours party/club that they opened up for the week call The Huddle After Hours. They gave you a taste of it on that first Friday, and then was a cover the rest of the week. Or, there was a pass you could buy to get you in he rest of the week. Eric and I looked at the schedule of DJ's and figured we'd get a pass for the week. We figured it gave us someplace to go, it wasn't in a tent, and it wasn't by invite only. Granted, that meant the likelihood of seeing someone famous there was slim - but it kept us in the action. We didn't ed up hitting it as much as we would have liked to, but we still had fun when we went - threw back a few drinks and had some great people watching, at a minimum, when we did go.

On Friday and Saturday, we hosted our own party/open house. More than anything, we just wanted to give our friends a place to call home when they were downtown. Some place they could start, have a drink or two and some food before heading downtown, and then a place to warm up on their way back. It all turned out great! We ended up getting to see a lot of people, some of which we rarely get to see, and they all had a great time, too. Plus, most of them managed to find free parking around our neighborhood - another bonus! It was also a nice way to wind down, for me, after being so busy volunteering all week (not to mention all of our other activities).

Finally, on Sunday, I had one more pair of tickets up my sleeve - tickets to the Bud Light Hotel to see the Bare Naked Ladies. So if you've never heard of this, it's crazy! Bud Light literally takes over an entire hotel, redecorates it, and hosts a bunch of concerts there. Obviously, if you stay there, it's part of your amenities. But they also give tickets away (maybe sell them, too??) We meandered over there late in the afternoon - we were both beat from the entire week. But it was worth it - one last bit of fun before all the fun packs up and leaves town.

We did just watch the game at home and I was actually thankful for that. I needed some chill time on the couch. We even managed to stay awake to see the Giants win. Personally, I wasn't rooting for either team - I just wanted a good game to watch and not have it one sided. I think we got that. So congrats to the Giants for winning Super Bowl XLVI!!

So now that it's all over, now what??

Volunteering at the Super Bowl

So as I've mentioned previously, I signed up to volunteer at the Super Bowl. Before you jump to conclusions that I was on the field, the Super Bowl is SO much more than the game (as all of Indy learned this week, as well as anyone keeping up with my blog). My assignment was actually in the NFL Experience, which was an event all its own!

My first shift was on the first day it opened. In fact, it was the first shift it was open! Which turned out to be, primarily, a VIP session, which was much slower than your typical intake of fans. Plus, I was in the 'Rush Zone', which was the kids 10 and under section. It was fun watching some of the little ones run through the mini obstacle course they had set up, but it was no indication of what the Experience would really bring in.

My second, third, and fourth shifts were all in the 'kids of all ages' game section, which meant the 'big stuff'. Specifically, my second shift was on Sunday, which was one of the busier days. The lines were up to a two hour wait (from what I heard) and the amount of people that came broke a record (that was just set the day before!). ironically, I was on the full scale version of the Mini Camp, which it what I was in the Rush Zone, only it was kids' version, obviously.

My last two shifts were the most fun, though - I was right next to the Mini Camp on the Speed and Mobility course. I had no idea when I signed up that THIS was the place to be... here, they actually had player come out for an hour or so and pass the ball to the fans to run the course. So this was where to be for a sports celebrity encounter. I heard earlier in the week, it was Reggie Wayne. When I was there Thursday, Desmond Howard came out. He was super laid back and down to earth 0 really nice guy. Started joking with us and soon as he stepped foot on the course. And all the fans loved it... though it was funny when the guys (grown men, have you) would try to show off, trip on something, fall flat on their face, and quickly get up with only their pride being hurt. I lost count of how many times that happened. The little kids had no idea who he was, so they just had fun, still.

So my final shift, there was no question of where I wanted to be... especially when I heard who Friday's special guest would be. Cam Newton. Wow... I would get to meet Cam Newton! After my bummer of an experience after the Carolina-Colts game, this was my chance. So I came prepared, complete with a Auburn Championship ball to be autographed (even though, as a volunteer, we weren't supposed to do that - but I wasn't going to miss out on this opportunity!). He showed up shortly after the experience opened - he is, indeed, a tall guy! As he walked by me, though, I gave him a "War Eagle!", and he smiled and said "War Eagle!" back. Alright.. connection established!

He spent about an hour-and-a-half passing the ball to people. He was so good with the little kids, too! I get wrapped up in watching his interactions that I'd forget to do my job (catching and passing a ball back to the start). he even had some fun with some 'Bama fans. I also started talking to his agent that came with him. You could tell he loved having Cam as a client (and not because Cam is so huge, but because he's such an easy client to work with in environments like this - everyone loved Cam!). It was nearing the end of his session on the field, and I went out on a limb and asked his agent if there would be any way to get Cam's autograph. Somehow, he missed my Auburn connection earlier and when I told him I had the Auburn Championship ball to sign, he immediately said absolutely and told me to give it to him so he could be sure it happened. Sure enough, the coordinator of the appearance came over a minute later, talking about wrapping it up with some military personnel pictures and autographs. And his agent said he also had to get that ball signed. Score!

So sure enough, after the military guys had a few minutes with him, his agent walked over with the ball, and I followed, and Cam very happily signed it. Cam completely blew me away with how great he was throughout the entire appearance and how cool he was when he knew I was an Auburn alumni. What a way to end my time volunteering at the Super Bowl!

Obviously, I was on cloud nine for the rest of my shift. But overall, my volunteering experience was phenomenal! I will definitely do this again, if the opportunity presents itself.

Jimmy Fallon

So today was another fun day... Eric and I got to see a live taping of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon!

It wasn't easy, either! Well, I guess it wasn't hard, either... but it WAS a process! It started by submitting an application to a lottery where you MIGHT have your name drawn. Eric and I both entered. Only my name was drawn. Then, on the day of (this morning), you had to pick up actual tickets. Here's the catch... they want a full house, so they overbook the 'reservations' they email out. So you're not guaranteed a ticket. Then you have to wait in line AGAIN to get in a few hours later! At least by that point, though, you know you're going to see the show - seating it assigned at this point. Yay!

Neither of us had been to a live taping of anything, so we weren't sure what to expect. I've heard some people talk about the process, though, and it did go like that, for the most part. First, another comedian comes out and gets you warmed up and does audience tests for sound and stuff, tells you all the 'rules', and introduces the band (The Roots, in this case). Then it starts. They roll right into it and shoot things just like you see on TV. Though I'm guessing some editing is done. During what would be the commercials, the band just plays or sometimes, Jimmy would interact with he audience.

We had some good guests, which was cool... Tracy Morgan, Tim Tebow, and the musical guest was All-American Rejects. Plus, we had Deion Sanders as the guest announcer. He did some great bits, which were taped locally. And honestly, he made Indy look pretty damn good in those clips!

It was yet another great thing done during SUPER week in Indy! And it's only Wednesday - what's yet to come??