Obviously Detroit didn't make the list, but one place that I've been interested in did! Check it out!
Does your area rank?? The closest I got is Ann Arbor, MI. At least I can say I went to school there, right?!
On a different note, I'm not feeling very well today.....A combination of anxiety and nausea. Blah. According to Jones' post, it sounds like there may be something going around. It's either that or the fact that I didn't sleep very well last night. I went to bed with a pounding headache and a cat that wouldn't stop following me around. I was like, "what the hell got into you?". I fell asleep with Caicos on my right side, petting him. What a spoiled feline! It's actually kind of cute in a demented sort of way.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Monday, July 10, 2006
Where The Ocean Meets The Sky
Charleston is beautiful. Where else can you lounge on the Atlantic coast, peruse an open air market and stroll downtown through historic neighborhoods that are quaint and colorful, all within 15 miles??? A city that is more than 300 years old has a plethora of stories to tell. The captial was moved from Charleston to Columbia in 1790. SC was the first state to secede from the union during the civil war and the 1989 category 4 hurricane Hugo that destroyed 80% of the barrier island homes; losses that estimate ~ $2.8 billion. One last cool fact is the state motto: DUM SPIRO SPERO, meaning "WHILE I BREATHE I HOPE".
Onto my stories:
The drive down sucked. We left at 8pm on Friday (June 30) and it took us 14 hours to get there. We figured driving through WV (and the mountains) at night tacked on an additional hour. Since we arrived before check-in on Saturday, we weren't able to pick up the keys to our house. So we did the next best thing - changed our clothes at Jeff (Jason's brother) and Cheri's apartment and headed to the beach. It was the closest thing to heaven that I could think of. Around 4pm, we headed to the real estate place to pick up the keys to our digs for the week.
The ocean was a 3 minute walk from the house. I awoke early on Sunday (~7am) and decided to chill on the beach before the crowds took over. It was breathtaking.
To make a long story short, we baked in the sun, drank and toured around the city (including a tour of Middleton Place, a rice plantation. That was pretty cool because Middleton was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Some of my favorite places we drank at were Henry's - because the live music was awesome, Poe's Tavern - named after Edgar Allan Poe - because of the deco, and Red's - which was on the water - because I drank too many Captain and Cokes, supposedly saw a dolphin and talked about how Jeff was going to be rich or broke by 30.
Since we rented a beach house, we didn't eat out too often. But out of the places we did eat out at, The Mustard Seed was my absolute favorite. The food, wine and even coffee were phenomenal. I definitely recommend it!!
A few things that we didn't do, which I wish we would have, were parasailing (800 feet in the air as opposed to 300 feet in Key West), renting wave runners and traveling to Savannah. I was super bummed about not driving the 2 hours to Savannah, but I didn't want to go alone. Oh well - maybe some other time. All in all, the week went by too quickly. The gorgeous weather, beautiful beaches and breath taking downtown made it very difficult to leave. I can see why Jeff chose to make Charleston his home.
Balls, Buns and Beer
The Home Run Derby 2006 has officially begun! I'm going to take a stab in the dark and predict that Ryan Howard is going to be crowned King of the Long Ball. We shall see.
The All-Star Game will be played tomorrow night at PNC Park (Pittsburgh). Go AL (specifically Pudge)!
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Rain Drops Keep Fallin' On My Head
Talk about crazy weather.....
I knew that it was supposed to rain, but seriously. Thinking nothing of it, I went to the gym. After my workout, I wondered why there was a huge crowd in the vestibule. I quickly discovered why. It was POURING outside with thunder and lightning included. I ran out to my car and by the time I closed the door, I looked like I had stepped out of the shower. Carefully exiting the parking lot (since some spots were flooded), I had the bright idea of making a pit stop to tan. Hey, I'm going to Charleston in a week, I need a base!! Anyway, when I got to the tanning salon, a note was posted on the door that read, "Temporarily closed due to severe weather". What I didn't know at this point was that a tornado warning was in effect. Ooops. As I enter into my subdivision I knew it was going to be a challenge. Since 5 inches of rain had fallen within a hour, most of the streets were flooded. There are three ways into my subdivision. I tried the first and there were three stalled cars that blocked my way. So I tried #2. I got half way into the subdivision and I was blocked by huge branches. I'm running out of options, right?! I get out of my car and start pulling the branches to the side of the street so that I can get through. A kid (yeah listen to me, I'm calling an 18- or 19-year old a kid) came out to help me. Once we got the branches cleared, he said that it wasn't worth going through because there was at least 12" to 18" of standing water at the corner. CRAP. And I say crap because that is the same corner that I'd have to get through for entrance #3. So, I asked the kid if I could park my car in front of his house, I grabbed my keys and started running home (about 1/2 mile). All I kept thinking about was getting struck by lightning. I know, I'm a freak....But I was sort of scared, though. I get home safely and soaking wet. Crazy.
Severe weather like this reminds me of when I was growing up. My grandmother (Romanian) used to say, "Say a prayer when it's thundering and lightning; God is sad because we're not doing His will". We would also light a candle in remembrance of our dead relatives. I felt compelled to follow her advice and did just that - in her name. Rest in peace, Mama. I love you.
I knew that it was supposed to rain, but seriously. Thinking nothing of it, I went to the gym. After my workout, I wondered why there was a huge crowd in the vestibule. I quickly discovered why. It was POURING outside with thunder and lightning included. I ran out to my car and by the time I closed the door, I looked like I had stepped out of the shower. Carefully exiting the parking lot (since some spots were flooded), I had the bright idea of making a pit stop to tan. Hey, I'm going to Charleston in a week, I need a base!! Anyway, when I got to the tanning salon, a note was posted on the door that read, "Temporarily closed due to severe weather". What I didn't know at this point was that a tornado warning was in effect. Ooops. As I enter into my subdivision I knew it was going to be a challenge. Since 5 inches of rain had fallen within a hour, most of the streets were flooded. There are three ways into my subdivision. I tried the first and there were three stalled cars that blocked my way. So I tried #2. I got half way into the subdivision and I was blocked by huge branches. I'm running out of options, right?! I get out of my car and start pulling the branches to the side of the street so that I can get through. A kid (yeah listen to me, I'm calling an 18- or 19-year old a kid) came out to help me. Once we got the branches cleared, he said that it wasn't worth going through because there was at least 12" to 18" of standing water at the corner. CRAP. And I say crap because that is the same corner that I'd have to get through for entrance #3. So, I asked the kid if I could park my car in front of his house, I grabbed my keys and started running home (about 1/2 mile). All I kept thinking about was getting struck by lightning. I know, I'm a freak....But I was sort of scared, though. I get home safely and soaking wet. Crazy.
Severe weather like this reminds me of when I was growing up. My grandmother (Romanian) used to say, "Say a prayer when it's thundering and lightning; God is sad because we're not doing His will". We would also light a candle in remembrance of our dead relatives. I felt compelled to follow her advice and did just that - in her name. Rest in peace, Mama. I love you.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Pacing The Cage
Twins or Brewers this summer? Buffett concert or not? Appease my spontaneous streak or compromise? These questions are filling my brain with torment. One at a time:
#1: Twins or Brewers? - Every year, we take a long weekend to visit a different ballpark. Since we're going to Charleston for a week, we decided not to travel very far for a ball game. Therefore, Minne or Milwaukee (we've already been to Chicago and staying in Detroit is out of the question). We decided to take the trip sometime in September. Twins are at home the weekend after Labor Day. Brewers are at home Labor Day weekend.
#2: Buffett concert or not? - For the first time in four years, JB is coming to Detroit. The concert date is September 12 (Tuesday). If we go, tickets will be $200 and vacation days will be planned :) This ties into dilemma #1. If we decide to partake in the concert festivities AND go to Minne, then we'll be traveling, spending a ton of money and taking a few days off from work within a short period of time. If we don't attend the concert, then two things will occur - I will be extremely disappointed AND it won't matter which ballpark we go to this fall.
#3: Appease my spontaneous streak or compromise? - I can see right through Jason. God bless him, but he's so damn transparent. When I informed him of the Buffett concert, his immediate response was, "What about Minneapolis - isn't that the weekend before the concert?" I think that's his way of saying, "I don't want to say 'yes' to the concert because it'll piss me off and I don't want to say 'no' because it'll piss you off." I introduced the idea of going to Milwaukee, but he didn't seem to warm up to the idea right away.
I think my idea is brilliant - go to Milwaukee for Labor Day (don't have to take off from work, which is a plus) and attend the concert. Minnesota can wait until 2007.
Simple solutions to simple problems, right?!
HELP!
#1: Twins or Brewers? - Every year, we take a long weekend to visit a different ballpark. Since we're going to Charleston for a week, we decided not to travel very far for a ball game. Therefore, Minne or Milwaukee (we've already been to Chicago and staying in Detroit is out of the question). We decided to take the trip sometime in September. Twins are at home the weekend after Labor Day. Brewers are at home Labor Day weekend.
#2: Buffett concert or not? - For the first time in four years, JB is coming to Detroit. The concert date is September 12 (Tuesday). If we go, tickets will be $200 and vacation days will be planned :) This ties into dilemma #1. If we decide to partake in the concert festivities AND go to Minne, then we'll be traveling, spending a ton of money and taking a few days off from work within a short period of time. If we don't attend the concert, then two things will occur - I will be extremely disappointed AND it won't matter which ballpark we go to this fall.
#3: Appease my spontaneous streak or compromise? - I can see right through Jason. God bless him, but he's so damn transparent. When I informed him of the Buffett concert, his immediate response was, "What about Minneapolis - isn't that the weekend before the concert?" I think that's his way of saying, "I don't want to say 'yes' to the concert because it'll piss me off and I don't want to say 'no' because it'll piss you off." I introduced the idea of going to Milwaukee, but he didn't seem to warm up to the idea right away.
I think my idea is brilliant - go to Milwaukee for Labor Day (don't have to take off from work, which is a plus) and attend the concert. Minnesota can wait until 2007.
Simple solutions to simple problems, right?!
HELP!
Bad, Bad UAW
My week just went down the toilet. Well, not really, but I'm not too happy right now.
For those of you who don't know, I work in a represented (union) environment. Strange, I know, because all of the engineers/chemists/technicians are salaried.
To "reward" my "good" performance, my supervisor offered alternative work schedule (AWS) to me -specifically 9/80. I was so excited because one day every other week that I don't have to drive to Dearborn is a total bonus. So, naturally, I thanked him and accepted his offer. He told me that I was one of a handful of people offered AWS and congratulated me.
*INSERT CHILDISH, MIDDLE SCHOOL BEHAVIOR HERE*
Once people found out that THEY didn't get the opportunity of AWS, the fur started to fly. To make a long story short, a grievance was filed. Needless to say, AWS came to a screeching halt within three days. *SIGH* Two questions ran through my head.....Since when did I start working in a Socialist environment? AND Why the hell am I paying union dues when I was totally screwed? I guess I was a little naive about a represented working environment. In response, I'm doing a little research. I am aware of my Beck rights, but that just addresses the financial aspect of my membership. The question that I want to answer is, can I resign my membership? We shall see. If anyone has any information on this subject, please feel free to comment.
There is a silver lining in this whole mess.....I have the personal satisfaction of being recognized by my supervisor and I've been there for only 8 months. *Insert evil grin*
For those of you who don't know, I work in a represented (union) environment. Strange, I know, because all of the engineers/chemists/technicians are salaried.
To "reward" my "good" performance, my supervisor offered alternative work schedule (AWS) to me -specifically 9/80. I was so excited because one day every other week that I don't have to drive to Dearborn is a total bonus. So, naturally, I thanked him and accepted his offer. He told me that I was one of a handful of people offered AWS and congratulated me.
*INSERT CHILDISH, MIDDLE SCHOOL BEHAVIOR HERE*
Once people found out that THEY didn't get the opportunity of AWS, the fur started to fly. To make a long story short, a grievance was filed. Needless to say, AWS came to a screeching halt within three days. *SIGH* Two questions ran through my head.....Since when did I start working in a Socialist environment? AND Why the hell am I paying union dues when I was totally screwed? I guess I was a little naive about a represented working environment. In response, I'm doing a little research. I am aware of my Beck rights, but that just addresses the financial aspect of my membership. The question that I want to answer is, can I resign my membership? We shall see. If anyone has any information on this subject, please feel free to comment.
There is a silver lining in this whole mess.....I have the personal satisfaction of being recognized by my supervisor and I've been there for only 8 months. *Insert evil grin*
Friday, June 02, 2006
Catch Up
As the title of this post suggests, it's time to play catch up. Since one of my plans for Memorial Day weekend fell through, I decided to put Plan B into action - attend another bachelorette party. I really wasn't too interested in going since I only knew the bride through a mutual friend, but I'm glad that I did because it was a blast! I mean, really. The evening started out at Miranda's house with appetizers, drinks and gifts for Joy (B2B - not business to business, but bride to be). Sorry, but I had to clarify for the engineer/business nerds...
Joy had a really great time catching up with everyone since she and Cole live in NC. Most of all, I think she really liked the gifts she received :)
Around 10pm, the limo showed up and we were off. First to a restaurant/bar that was closed, but we were able to get in for a Monster Margarita.
Check that out!!!
Next, we stopped at Litehouse where we danced and drank....owie.
And things got a little out of control....
For some reason, Joy just couldn't resist shots....
And more shots.....
By the end of the night, some people just couldn't hang....he, he, he
It was a fun night :)
Joy had a really great time catching up with everyone since she and Cole live in NC. Most of all, I think she really liked the gifts she received :)
Around 10pm, the limo showed up and we were off. First to a restaurant/bar that was closed, but we were able to get in for a Monster Margarita.
Check that out!!!
Next, we stopped at Litehouse where we danced and drank....owie.
And things got a little out of control....
For some reason, Joy just couldn't resist shots....
And more shots.....
By the end of the night, some people just couldn't hang....he, he, he
It was a fun night :)
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