DIVA [ˈdiːva] (noun): An operatic prima donna. A female version of a hustler. A usually glamorous and successful female performer or personality. A woman who has self-confidence, self-respect, and hella swagger. She knows who she is and exactly where she is going. True divas should be treated with respect for their enormous talent and strong will.
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
PURE FRIED GOODNESS!!
Friday, October 08, 2004
Matchmaking
I just got back from a fabulous lunch at Logan's Roadhouse with 6 co-workers. The 2 other girls in my department are both my managers. I call them girls because we all share the same mentality, which know that I think about it you'd wonder how we even function. So maybe it's me with the mentality of a girl....anyway....that's not my story. (Background for those who don't know me: I work in marketing for Logan's.) There's a server named Justin at Logan's who reportedly thinks I am cute and wants to meet me. My managers think he's just great and love the idea. So today they were planning ("plangenting" if you will) an introduction between me and Justin, unbeknownst to me.
According to them, my first mistake was not sitting next to them at the table. Sorry! Justin was not our server but he walked by a lot and we did the whole make-eye-contact-but-then-I-look-away thing. If you removed his earrings, he'd be an absolute cutie-patootie! Tan, cute little glasses, TALL, good "build." But yeah he's got little hoop earrings in both ears and that would just drive me batty. Now that I think about it, I think I dated someone with an earring before and I cannot for the life of me remember who it was!! What the heck??? Hmm maybe I dreamed it up, or maybe it was someone I just went out with once, or maybe it was some bad boy I just admired from afar. Somebody order me some memory pills ASAP.
I saw my friend Mandy at Logan's as well (Hi Mandy!). My second mistake was hauling my arse out of the restaurant when we were done eating. I was "supposed" to stick around so L & H could act out the plangent to introduce Mr. Justin. I'm just not that in tune with their inner plangents and I was out the door before they knew it. We talked about it on the way back to work and decided that a group activity would have to br organized for me to officially meet Mr. Earrings. L & H and Justin have the same friends so it wouldn't be so awkward to do something together. So we'll see if anything comes of this new development.
Thursday, October 07, 2004
Coffee Explosion!
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
SOGWEAW hello
no really! It's pouring here and there is apparently no heat or air in this house, which is why the windows stay cracked all of the time, even though it's freezing with the wind and the rain. Apparently also there are a lot of burglaries when it rains hard like this because so many people have tiny shacks with tin roofs that you can't hear the intruder when he breaks into your home because the rain is so loud. You'd almost think that these tin roofs would be rusted or something. Yes, a very bad joke, but believe it or not, there is a woman on this trip with us who makes worse jokes than I do- and they're always one right after the other- she looks for opportunities and takes a million and one of them, and let me tell you she is NOT very punny! Ari- I now know to some degree how obnoxious you find my humor at times- or non-humor as the case may be. Not that this is going to change how I makes puns and cracks, but just know that I sympathize with you all putting up with having me as a friend.
I have to admit that today for the first time I am really missing home- not that I haven't missed the people all along, but now I'm starting to wonder what all I've missed out on with the goings on of the world. One week from today though I will be home and so jet-lagged it won't even be funny. Actually, that saturday is going to be the bad day for me, and I have that sorority event that morning- but day 3 is when jet lag seems to hit.
Anyways- I miss you guys- I miss blogging-at-will and surfing the internet and keeping up with news and sports! I have not missed tv and radio- although last night and tonight I journaled while listening to Dave Barnes and JM, respectively. The weird thing is not having a cell phone! Last Sunday in church, all 3 times I went in the sanctuaries I thought, did I turn my cell phone off? Because I'm so used to doing that at home! Here, a cell phone rings and at first I think, is that mine, but then I remember that I have no one to talk to here! It's freeing in a way to be able to leave the house with nothing- no keys, no phone, no nothing when going somewhere. They have already prepared us for reverse culture shock once we get back into the US. So be patient with me you guys, because you won't have experienced the things I have, and your eyes will not be open to the things mine will be open to. You will be amazed when you read the journal and hear the stories- and who knows, maybe next time some of you will come with me. That's right mom, there will definetly be a next time.
Hope you all are having a great day at work- War es hoet- that mean's 'I'm good' in Afrikaans- I'm learning slowly but surely!
~Holla~
Monday, October 04, 2004
Dogs are not more important than people!
I had a fairly uneventful weekend. I got home from a conference in Minneapolis on Friday and I was totally zonked from that--not to mention I'm struggling with allergies...that's my least favorite part about the changing of the seasons! Saturday, Rhonda, her parents, and I took my dog, Dixie, to "Dog Day" at Centennial Park. Ok, don't get me wrong, I'm a dog-lover, but these people mean serious business!! This one lady saw I had a Westie and she started telling me about her 3 Westies. She proceeds to pull out a picture of her 3 dogs with her young son. Then, get this, she says, "and here's a picture of my 3 babies". Count 'em, folks, THREE! Not 4 to include her SON in the mix...but 3! It was pitiful. Then she turns to Rhonda and asks her if she has any "babies". I mean, come on, people...throw me a frickin' bone here (pun intended). I spent Saturday night half sleeping/half watching the Vols get their butts wooped by Auburn. How embarassing...and in our own back yard. And to top that off, the Titans lost, too. What is UP with Tennessee Football? (Don't answer that). Sunday, I went to church and then went to the Brentwood Tour of Homes with my mom. All I have to say is "WOW!" Really, that's all I can say...
I have to admit, it's much more fun blogging on Amanda's site. I wonder if she'll let us Penthouse girls continue once she's back from SA? I wonder if anyone is reading this in her absence? C'mon, people, show some love for the understudies!
Saturday, October 02, 2004
quick hello
Friday, October 01, 2004
Dang you Digital Mastery!
My parents are coming into town today. They should be here in a couple hours. Last night I was really not feeling in the mood to host them for 9 days, but today I'm a little more excited about it. I know, 9 days is a LONG time! I should charge them 1/3 rent huh?? The funny thing about that is that they actually do pay my electricity bill while they are here....in a way. See, they like it cold in the house, and by cold I mean ABSOLUTELY 100% NORTH POLE FREEZING. Good thing my winter clothes are still out. So anyway, they usually leave me some money to make up for the increase in the bill from the A/C. I hope I don't jinx them this time. ("JINX! You owe me a Coke!") I've made a short list of activities for us to do while they're in town. Mom wants to go look at the changing leaves (not that there's many yet) and go dancing - not at the same time of course. Yeah that would be funny though :)
Time to get back to work. I just picked up the phone from a sales guy and was reminded of why I screen my calls. There probably won't be a blog this weekend, sorry folks. Pray for Amanda and the rest of the SA team. Remember to stay updated on their blog, which is under the "Blogs I Read." Stay classy South Africa. Watch those backwards drains with giddy delight.
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Lord of the Blog
There's just one problem: what to blog about. Now there are many things I could talk about, but what is truly blogworthy? There are many shallow thoughts from my deep mind. Amanda's thoughts are shallow as well, but Her Blogness has the tender sarcasm that I'm not sure I can live up to. Just kidding, sometimes she's not shallow.
Speaking of being shallow, here's a question for everyone: Have you ever thought of giving up television? In previous years I've found myself planning my days around that box of light, and often planning my weekend around when I'm going to watch the tapes I recorded of Friends, Gilmore Girls, Big Brother, and whatever band/celebrity I wanted to see on Leno, Letterman, Conan, or those I-have-to-get-up-at-the-butt-crack-of-dawn-to-watch-this morning shows. And then what do I get out of it? Nothing positive. I get someone telling me that I have to dress like this, I have to have perfect hair like this, I'm too short, I'm too "soft", I'm too pale, I'm not talented. It's made me constantly feel the need to compare myself to, not just the people on TV, but the people I know in real life, even at church. Sometimes I'll think I'm not as good as this person, and sometimes I'll think I'm better than that person. The latter just leads to pride, which I hate in myself.
It's not just physical attributes of being a female either. This will sound cliche but it really does desensitize us to many things. I'm a self-described "goodie goodie" (although since I moved to Nashville it might need to be cut down to just 1 "goodie") - and I've watched TV/movies since I was little and I haven't fallen into the sex drugs and rock & roll "pit of sin." So it's easy for me to say that TV/movies don't affect one's behavior, that behavior is a conscious decision that is controlled by YOUR mind. Luckily my mind's been stubborn enough not to let my body behave like I've seen people do. But has what I've seen been constructive in helping me live a more Christ-centered life? The answer is big resounding, reverberating, plangent NO. And that's what it's all about people. Even if pop culture is not corrupting you, it's not HELPING you either unfortunately. (And it doesn't count that you watch church on TV.) It was making me stagnant - I wasn't going down but I wasn't going up. Get rid of things that make you stagnant, and definitely get rid of things that take you down. Fill those spaces with something else, even if that something is just silence to destress from life.
I'm turning off the TV for a couple weeks and I'm curious to know what it's going to be like. I never thought I'd do this - I was the one who'd give my right arm to have TiVo, but never got around to it. I'll stop here - this post is a lot deeper than I thought it was going to be. Consider the challenge though. I'm curious ("I was CURIOUS!") to see if it might affect others too. Lastly, thanks to Shelly Edwards for inspiring this in me. You are a walking inspiration to me period Shelly.
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
South Africa, baby
So many emotions are running through my mind as it's almost time to leave.
Excited, about the amazing opportunity I've been given.
Apprehensive about the poverty and sickness I will see.
Humble that I, Amanda, have been called by God to do his work in such a hands-on way.
Nervous about being on a plane for that long (18.5 hours), over water, and winding up halfway across the globe. One cool thing that Em mentioned to me this morning before she left for Minneapolis (I tell you, you just can't hold these Penthouse Pets down!) was that the water will flow down the drain backwards b/c we'll be in the Southern hemisphere.
Sad because I will miss my family and friends, who are the first priority in my life next to following God (and even sometimes then, I let them take precedence anyways)
Hopeful that lives will be changed by this trip- both members of our team of 26, and also the people of Capetown.
There are so many more thoughts running through my head than that, but all in all, we're nervous about the plane ride, but excited about the rest. Check the SA Blog I created to get updates. I'll miss you all- esp. the ones of you I see on a daily basis. We'll have a big night out in Nashvegas the weekend I get back, o-tay butt-wheat?
soapy quesadillas
After Kairos last night we went out to Mac Grill to celebrate Katie’s birthday. Em and Rhonda went in together and bought her a square plate and an olive oil dispenser that has a beautiful painted music pattern on it. They match the bowl and vase that Katie had bought for herself just days earlier, so she was obviously ecstatic when she opened them. As we were all admiring the bottle, and discussing how pretty it was, where it came from, etc. I overhear Em telling Katie,
"…and you don’t even have to use it for olive oil. We have one with dish detergent in our kitchen."
Immediately an imaginary lightbulb bursts into flames over my head.
"What are you talking about Emily?" I said incredulously. "That’s not olive oil in our kitchen?" She stops and looks at me.
"Why? Have you been cooking with it?"
Now at this point all other conversations at the table stop and everyone turns and looks to me. So I begin to tell my story.
A few weeks ago, right after we moved in, I got ready to cook myself something for dinner one night. No one else was home, and it was before we had any pots and pans, so I had limited options on what I could make.
"No problem," I thought to myself, "I’ll just use my handy-dandy-can’t-live-without-it quesadilla maker and make myself a quesadilla for dinner."
So I pulled out a skillet, chopped up some onions, grabbed the olive oil (hmm, why is this over by the sink? That's a dumb place for it to be!) drizzled some into the pan to sauté the onions, and put the bottle in its proper place by the stove. You can probably tell where this is going.
The first bite I take of my quesadilla, I notice a distinctly soapy taste. So I rack my brain, trying to come up with every possibility of how this came to be.
"Well I just bought the onions and cheese, so they can’t be bad already. Someone must have washed the quesadilla maker last and not rinsed it off very well," was the conclusion I came up with. Never would I think,
"oh, maybe somebody put yellow dishwasher detergent in the glass olive oil dispenser." Who does that??
"Didn't you notice I moved the bottle over by the stove?" I said accusingly to Emily.
"Well didn't you notice I was using it to wash dishes?" She retorted.
Communication is key, people. I probably would not have even thought about this again until a) I used the "olive oil" again to cook, or b) used the quesadilla maker to see if the food still tasted like soap, if it weren’t for Katie’s new birthday present.
In the midst of us all cracking up over my soapy quesadilla, Ari says
"you were supposed to make a quesadilla Bradley, not a sopapilla."
Ba-dum-ching. She’ll be here all night folks. Try the veal.
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
Hail to the new chiefs
You can go to our South Africa Blog in your spare time to keep up with our team until I return bright eyed and bushy-tailed on Wednesday October 13th.
He's Just Not That Into You...
I think this author is no different- he talked about how he used to play women all the time until he met his wife- and then magically he was willing to leave the games behind and pursue her. I say bull. He was ready to settle down before he met her.
What was life changing, or at least enlightening, was that I discovered that women do the same thing that men do as far as playing games, and not being honest with someone when they aren't interested. I cannot tell you how many phone numbers I have in my cell of guys that I know I won't ever date, but rather keep them at bay by answering their calls when they call, and yes, I have been known to DUI them a time or two. It's like the shirt you bought that you never wear but can't throw away b/c what if someday you decide to wear it? I can't take credit for that brilliant analogy, but it is so true. And cruel. What starts out as not wanting to hurt someone's feelings by telling them no, you don't want to go out with them, ends up as stringing them along, or vice versa, allowing yourself to be strung along.
Well the buck stops here people! If you're not interested, then just say so, because you're worth more than a "Tier 4 booty call."
Monday, September 27, 2004
What Weekend???
*Saw Wimbledon with the girls, Rhonda Lu & I went to Jonathan's afterwards where we ran into some co-workers and a stalker friend of ours. Watched football on a blue field. Tried to tell Stewart (Stewie) about the Family Guy since he's never seen it.
*Got very little sleep, up at 8:40 the next a.m.
*Watched Kentucky get tossed around like rag dolls against Florida, who was still whining & complaining about their unfair calls in Knoxville.
*bought new tennis shoes (pink of course)
*bought a digital camera
*did minor damage at Anne Taylor Loft, although most of it was covered under my giftcard. The rest were supposed Birthday presents that I got early anyways. Aren't moms great? Especially when they're spoiling you because you'll be gone for 2 weeks
*bought Em & Rhonda each a Christmas present, Katie a Birthday present, and myself a copy of Angels in America to read on the 18.5 hour flight
*yes, 18.5 hours on a plane, nonstop- the longest commercial flight in the world
*watched X-Men 2 with the George + family contingency
*met the girls at Tootsie's- Jared Ashley was there, as was Ranger Bob, so it doesn't get much better than that
*got in much too late. Got very little sleep.
*Ran out the apt like a crazy woman Sunday a.m. in time to sing in the choir at the first service
*Almost passed out in the choir loft at the aforementioned first service (no sleep+low blood sugar+ heeled shoes+bright, hot lights= a recipe for disaster)
*Left the house at 11:11 (make a wish) with Dad, picked up the tickets, got to the stadium, bought some lunch, and were in our seats in time for kickoff. Amazing.
*The Titans game: beautiful weather. Lackluster football- the most boring game I have ever sat through
*SA meeting at church. back to the apt to grab a few items. back to the house for some dinner and quality family time with the George+family contingency (ps- can I just say how much I love this kid? He makes Laura so happy. We're just hoping he doesn't follow through with his and Laura's threats to elope)
*Back to the Penthouse for good where I talked to my roommates for a whole 15 minutes!
*Jon Cate came to visit. Harassed me about Kentucky football. Harassed me about John Kerry. Harassed me about the Naked guy on my wall ("it's Michaelaneglo," I exclaimed! "It's Adam, not a naked man! It's showing how God created him in His own image and how their hands are almost touching but not quite, which represents the separation of man and God..." Jon Cate's classic response: "You're just too artsy for me.")
*Made a huge to-do list. Packed. Stayed up way too late.
*Got up at 5:30 this morning, ran out the apt like a crazy person...
*and the rest, they say, is history...
alright, now that I've vented, maybe I can get some work done. You know, at my job. The one I get paid to not do.
Friday, September 24, 2004
real world philly
A hickinick from kinnikinnik
This has got to be one of the greatest games ever. I've played the original Balderdash before but this one has other categories like movie titles, dates, initials, and people, as well as definitions of words that you have to make up and then guess the real answer. For example- you might think the word Plangent is a planned tangent (planned spontaneity, anyone?) but actually it's a loud reverberating sound. Good to know, so now you can add that to your vocabulary along with copasetic.
Speaking of favorite words of mine: horror of all horrors, I sliced my finger on a knife in our kitchen drawer looking for a pizza cutter. This is a word, in this usage specifically, that makes me cringe! (See blog entry from May 25) But there is no other way to describe what happened, so my poor finger is all bandaged up. We weren't sure I was going to make it, but I pulled through being the trooper I am. Enough of that plangent.
The other humorous balderdash moment came when someone wrote that kinnikinnik was the aboriginal word for fire. You'd have to have some previous inside-joke knowledge about the whole "You're fired" competition between Donald Trump and Kelly Rippa on her morning show to understand why this is funny. DT of course does his little hand flicking motion that Ariana so loves and says the proverbial "You're fired." Kelly then comes back with some elaborate moves and hand gestures, spinning around and shooting a "you're fired" over her shoulder to DT. This goes back and forth several times and is apparently quite humorous (Em, am I explaining this very well since you're the only one who actually saw this segment?) So Em told us this story last Friday night and we've all been "firing" each other ever since. So of course, going back to Balderdash (end of plangent), Em looks at Rhonda and says "You're kinnikinnik'd!" Just in case you were curious (I was CUR-ious!!!) , the actual definition of kinnikinnik is a North American smoking mixture made of brush and tree bark.
Thursday, September 23, 2004
African Animals, #2
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
African Animals, #1
Here is one of the many animals we might get to see at the gamepark in South Africa. The little one is Timone from the Lion King. (Sorry yall, I just can't resist cute pictures of animals.) So in the days that follow I will be posting pictures of critters that I may come across in South Africa. This is to try and pass on some of my excitment to you, and to pass the time at work. Now granted, this picture is taken from meerkats living in captivity, but work with me here, People.
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
Cuddle parties?
In college we had free cuddle parties after study sessions. They were called Bed Parties, aptly named because after the exhaustion of studying for like the thousandth music history test, we would all pile on the person's bed, cuddle, laugh, talk, and detox our brains a little. But this was free, and it was among friends. No need for rules, because you knew everyone. No shady people to keep away from, unless said shady person happened to be a friend, and you just placed yourself away from that person in the cuddle pile. Easy enough.
The theory behind these NY cuddle parties is that we as adults have lost our inner child, and once puberty hit it became taboo to cuddle with our friends. I am hearby declaring to you all: do not pay for this ripoff ruse. Instead, organize a cuddle party among friends and reclaim your inner child. Put on your comfy clothes, pop in a movie, and enjoy the company of those you love, because cuddling with strangers is just weird.
Monday, September 20, 2004
5 Girls, a Blog, & a pizza place
But I digress. Dinner was delectable- try the desert pizza if you go- after which we left and went down a few places to Gravity/On the Rocks to grab a table before it got too crowded. Here Laurie and her friend Gina met up with us, where we decided we were quite the intimidating group of gals. After finally getting rid of the drunk/high/annoying/old guy that had attempted to befriend us, we decided to head down to the Tin Roof (rusted) to see what was going on there.
The place was packed, as usual, and it made me remember why we don't go there on Saturdays anymore. The old Yogi Berra quote stands true: It's too crowded- nobody goes there anymore. We actually did manage to find a table which was a huge blessing. This kid sat down next to us and all of us are thinking the same thing- this is the first decent-looking, non-scary guy that has tried to talk to us all night! Of course his over-protective girlfriend and her friend rush to his side adding that it's his birthday, so we all sing to him, and they go on their merry way. The band played all the great sing-along songs, but I was in the stupid bathroom when they played Rocky Top that night. It was the only song I really wanted to hear, but I was not about to get out of line after having waited for several minutes. It's a sad life I live really. We rounded the evening out with a little trek up to Dan Mcguiness where yet another stupid drunk guy tried to meet and re-meet us (So where did everybody to school again?). We girls made our own fun that night by laughing at everything, and playing the too- cool-for-school card (You may think you're too cool for school.. well I've got news for you. You aren't.)
Saturday was spent lunching with Ang & Mom, and soaking in the last rays of summer sun. That evening was the surprise birthday dinner for Jean, followed by some intense viewing of the UT-Florida game. I had forgotten Jean & Tabitha were Floridians, and would thus be cheering for the wrong team, so it made for a fun evening heckling each other back and forth (Wow, that kick was a wide right... I thought it was supposed to go through the uprights) (What was that about it supposed to be going through the uprights, Amanda?) But of course we UT fans had the last laugh as cutie-patootie James Wilhoit kicked a 50-yarder to win the game for the Vols. The Titans lost at home which stinks ( 3 in a row to the Colts, too). But Kentucky did manage to beat Indiana in the battle of the bottoms: bottom of the Big 10 vs the bottom of the SEC. Ahhhhhhh- C-A-T-S, CATS, CATS, CATS!!!!
Thursday, September 16, 2004
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Hump Day
Today has also been good because Ari and I had a Half-Diva luncheon at Bread & Co. along with Angela and we polished off our lunches with a delectable low-fat brownie something-or-another that was indescribably rich and yummy. Chocolate has that effect of making any day better. Chocolate and anything pink. Pink dishes would be perfection. (Chandler: Gum would be perfection) Oh that's right, I already have those. Well tomorrow the couch and chair are being delivered and soon after we will have a fun little dinner party complete with pink place settings to celebrate the beginning of the Penthouse Era. Who's excited?
Monday, September 13, 2004
Slackers!
Friday, September 10, 2004
Case Closed
Speaking of food, did anyone see that awful spinoff show NBC is passing off as Joey?? It was terrible. I'll be fair and give it a few more weeks trial, but they've gotta give the kid some better actors to play off of. Joey was funny but everyone else could have greatly benefited from a laugh track. You could have heard a pin drop in the room we were watching it in over at Ari's when a joke ended- and the room was carpeted!
Alrighty kids, I'm off to do my job. They don't just pay me to sit here and play on the internet all day. Have a great weekend- stay clear of the hurricane. Go Noles. Go Raptors. Go Titans.
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
Welcome to the Penthouse
*The hired help arrived Saturday morning after almost everything had been hauled downstairs and stuffed into our 2 cars- what? you guys didn't get paid?? Well I guess that explains it then. You sure get what you pay for. (Just kidding friends, you know I couldn't have done it without you.) (Well, I could have, but it would have taken me all weekend long and I would be way more sore than I am now.)
*Boofer trying her hardest to find the lightest loads possible to carry up the one flight of stairs. A computer monitor? Not a chance. 2 Pillows? Now we're talkin.
*Lana refusing to help me carry this huge plastic bin that had all kinds of essential things packed into that simply could not be left at home, leaving my mom and I to struggle up the stairs with it.
*Me falling up the stairs after dropping said bin due to Lana making me laugh.
*Ari shaking her head at Lana & I making each other laugh, and Brett standing there laughing at all of us.
*Dad asking me if that was all the shoes I was bringing, pointing to a large plastic bin crammed full.
*Me admitting that there were more shoes packed elsewhere that wouldn't fit in the container with the rest.
The girls celebrated a successful move that night with a cookout at Chateau Bradley and viewing of The Princess Bride which Lana had never seen (She was CUR-ious!!!)
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
Frank's hot sauce, anyone?
A: A really good time
I spent the first half of my weekend in the booming metropolis of Cannelton, IN visiting family, and as usual, there was never a dull moment. Friday night I took Laura and George and met the family at the local watering hole, known as the Pumper. First off though, a little background on the city of Cannelton.
Back in its heyday it was a typical small town in Indiana. FDR’s WPA projects allowed industry to boom with several dam projects along the Ohio River. Now it’s seen better days, and has a population less than 2000 people and bars on every corner. One, people have nothing better to do than sit around and drink, and Two, the county across the river in Kentucky is dry, so they all migrate to socialize with the Hoosiers. On any given night, the age-old rivalry between UK and IU fans comes up several times among those from their respective states. And if any local Kentuckians find out you went to UK such as I did, they’re your friends for life. In all actually, UK fans are always in the minority here and the Kentuckians are always glad to have someone else on their side of the never-ending debate over which school’s basketball program is better, which state’s more redneck, and which hates Duke more.
Now the Pumper is unlike any bar I’ve ever known. Take what you’ve read above, and now imagine a sort-of Redneck Cheers, where everyone knows your name. Seriously. I asked my cousin Ryan if anyone ever walked through that door that he didn’t know and his answer was an honest "not very often." The crowd is a bunch of locals, both young and old, and every one’s a character. My favorites are Jimmy, the bartender, who has an honest-to-God mullet, and a laugh that rattles deep inside his chest that you don’t know whether to laugh or gag when he decides something is funny (which is often), and Frank Mafia, the transplanted New Yorker who looks like the guy from Weekend at Bernie’s and makes no effort to hide his taste in younger women. When we got there Friday night the first thing Ryan did was show George the men’s bathroom. It’s so apparently disgusting that it’s legendary. "when it’s time to go to the bathroom, it’s time to go home."
The place was actually packed that night, and good times were had by all. So much so in fact, that Laura and George opted not to go back on Saturday night. That second night was the more entertaining of the two if you were a fly on the wall however. My mom’s sister Lisa, and my uncle Jerry came to the house to pick up my mom and I and we were at the Pumper by 8:30. Not the best idea. Shortly after, my aunt Kristina joined us, followed by my cousins Ryan and Eric. It seemed that I was related to half the bar in a night that culminated in a rousing rendition of Hank Williams Jr.’s Family Tradition. I just had to laugh to myself as I looked across the booth to see my mom and 2 aunts sitting side by side there singing along. Believe it or not, this was Mom’s first ever experience at the Pumper, and it was just way too much fun for her. She left after about an hour, leaving me to fend for myself among my cousins and their friends. Fend from who, you might ask? Remember those characters I was talking about earlier?
First there was Randy Hawkins (you know, he graduated with Kristina’s class… he married Gordon Hafley’s sister) (that’s how every conversation begins with the family for those of us who have moved away from the small town life and need to be filled in on the latest gossip.) Randy danced by himself at the end of the bar and proceeded to make his way closer and closer to our family’s table, pulling my Aunt Kristina up to dance with him at once point. We promptly got my uncle to rescue her, but Randy tried several more times that night to get us to dance with him. The old Avoid Eye Contact trick worked like a charm.
Next there was this guy named Pat Ogle who trapped me at Frank Mafia’s Christmas party this past year talking about Kentucky and UK. He’s one of those Kentuckians looking to talk about UK when he can get a chance in a land surrounded by Hoosiers. Luckily I knew better this time and began a conversation with my cousin Eric, where you again, avoid eye contact and nod seriously as you actually say to the person, "pretend we’re having an important conversation. I don’t want to talk to that person."
Finally, among others, was my mom’s middle school boyfriend (thank goodness that one didn’t last), some scary Larry’s at another bar called Bear’s, and a couple of my cousin’s friends. It’s like Ryan said at one point: It’s a good thing we aren’t from Kentucky because then he and I wouldn’t be off limits from each other. Seriously- they passed that law a few years ago. You can actually marry your first cousin in the state of Kentucky.
To end my diatribes on the life and times of Cannelton, IN I will share the most random mystery of all. The next day when I was already safely back in the shelter of the Brenthood, I found a full size bottle of Frank’s hot sauce in my purse. What the heck??!! I can only assume it came from the Pumper or Bear’s, and that good times were had by all.
Friday, September 03, 2004
South Africa Bound
In other news, this weekend marks the Big Move to the Penthouse apartment, so I'll be commin 'atcha Tuesday with some humorous anecdotes about the whole ordeal no doubt. You stay classy Nashvegas. I'm Amanda Bradley?
Thursday, September 02, 2004
Gesundheit
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
UK football gets national Exposure
Monday, August 30, 2004
The day of john mayer
angel: he's just a guy, Amanda.
devil: yes, but he is a famous rock star.
angel: but you enjoy his music- he is a talented musician- you like his use of 7th chords
devil: and he's attractive, rich, and famous
angel: not that that matters- I would like him just as much if he was a nobody
devil: sure you would...
All I could do was stand there grinning stupidly at the kid. I did manage to tell him my name when he asked, but that was about it. Oh- and I told him Welcome to Nashvegas- I could have kicked myself for that brilliant exchange. It was just very surreal to be in such close proximity to someone that I admire and respect so much, but it all happened so fast. We waited so long and then it was over. The three of us girls discussed this over a quick lunch at Logan's and then went back to my house and crashed for an hour and a half. Once again, I got to be the responsible one and get up first to wake the other two. (Apparently Rhonda's not an afternoon person either). We got ready all over again and headed out to Starwood for the concert. We arrived early to beat traffic, but behaved ourselves much more so than Lana & I did at the Dave Matthews Debacle. Maroon 5 was pretty good. The lead singer is the only band member with any personality and energy, but as a whole they were much better than they were in February when when Rhonda Lu and I saw them in Memfiss. John of course was spectacular, though a little self-indulgent on the blues numbers. Plus he got on some political kick that left Lana and I doing the whole sorority girl, high pitched HA-UH?? (as in, huuuhh, I don't get it?!) Once he stepped down off his political soapbox though he played one of my all-time favorite songs as an encore- Comfortable. I've decided this one goes in my top five all-time favorite songs, and this was the icing on the cake of a beautiful, albeit very long, day.
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
The Dave Barnes Comedy Hour
A Man, duh
Monday, August 23, 2004
Name That Apartment
Rainy days and Mondays...
Friday, August 20, 2004
Bears and Beer?
I'd also like to take this opportunity to welcome 2 of the newest members of the blogger community and future roommates, Rhonda Lu and Emmy Sue. Let's give 'em a big round of applause. I take full credit for the creation of these blogs by the way. The pressure just got to be too great.
Thursday, August 19, 2004
Pillow Fight Club

Alright- after much searching online this was the best pic I could find of Brad's cafe latte muscles, or whatever Jill said they were called- I swear, I sacrifice so much for you people- I'm trying to work here, honestly! This is an older picture from Fight Club which is one of the coolest movies ever made. I know Brad looks kind of, well, beat up, but the number one rule of Fight Club is that you do not talk about fight club, so he couldn't really tell anyone what was going on. I kid, I kid....But seriously- it's an awesome movie. Eddie Norton is superb in this film, and we all know my affections for Brad. (Hey, anyone who can think he looks good in 12 Monkeys is a devoted fan in my book) Fight Club is in my top 3 coolest movies ever, along with the Godfather and the Usual Suspects. Ohh, is that the one about the hooker with, um, dysentery?
On a sidenote, there were these kids on North campus back in the day who used to have this thing every Tuesday Night called Pillow Fight Club. You'd have to understand UK to know that north campus is where all the honors students, kids who cared more about studying than having a social life, and artsy people lived, to understand the implication that comes when i say "north campus." (Sorry Ari, but you know it's true) (Girl you know it's true... hoo ho hooooo... I love you...) I of course ran as far as I could from this side of campus and made my home on the much more social end of South Campus, where people threw snowballs from the bushes at the pizza delivery guy so he couldn't get into B-tower one winter night. Now *that* was funny. We wer some intelijunt kidz at that ther Kintuckee.
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
something to make you smile
Ok, in case you haven't been keeping up with this, here is our Olympic Golden Boy... isn't he pretty? (as in, really prilly) And if you'll look closely you can see the beautiful Brad Pitt V-muscles on the sides of his lower waist- what are those muscles even called? I have no idea. All I know is that Brad Pitt (and Michael Phelps) has them, and I do not. Today's been a frustrating day at work, so I needed this to make me smile. I figured I'd share the love. Tonight is more Olympic viewing over at Emmy Sue's (hey- I already know who won- this time difference is kind of cool) and heading downtown later with Rhonda Lu to see Andy Davis. I'll leave you all with a great line from one of his songs:
"and when it gets down to it I hear background music when I see you."
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
Olympics commentary
Anywho- my viewing compatriots think this certain cutie patootie wears his swim pants a little too low- they claim it leaves too little to the imagination- well to that I say, I must have a bigger imagination than you two, because I can imagine plenty! Plus it shows off that nice little Brad-Pitt-V-muscle on either side of his lithe figure. Sorry. What was the point of this? Oh yes- gymnastics was The event to watch last night as our American boys won a silver team medal. How fun is it that we have 2 twins on the team? Americans just love a good story like that- the Hamm twins compete last on the apparatus and save the day- by the way- we were discussing this last night- what is the plural of apparatus? Apparati? I will close by saying that while Morgan and Paul are adorable to look at, and I marvel at their strength, they should not open their mouths to give interviews because they both sound like girls- almost to the degree of a male version of Kerry Strug. Yeah. It's that bad.
Monday, August 16, 2004
Could he BE any more lame?
But we're back at it again folks. I've definitely got a case of the Mondays, but I'm putting on a happy face in order to please my adoring fans. So here's the anecdote of the day. *All names have been changed to protect the identities of the innocent*
My friend- we'll call her Louise- gets this email from this guy at church. He's asking her out even though he just met her that morning, does not even know if her name is in fact Louise, is moving in a week, and apologizes after every thought- in fact- this stuff is just too good to be made up, and since we're protecting the names of the innocent anyways, I have to let you read some of the original quotes from this guy's sorry pick-up email:
"I am sorry that I didn't ask for your name but you were in your meeting and I didn't want to make it akward. If that isn't your name...I totally apologize! I was distracted by your definite cuteness." [ok, #1, creepy and stalker-ish. #2, completely lame way to begin an email, and #3, we are in church for goodness sakes! You don't hit on a girl and ask her out after meeting her once- and judging by his email, after not actually having met her- what does that say about your motives??!!]
"Hey listen, I know that I will only be here for another week but you seem super cool and if you aren't seeing anyone...which you probably are... but if you aren't let me know and maybe we can do dinner or desert sometime before I leave next weekend." [and You seem like a super-dork. Again, I question the intentions of our young Romeo... we are in TN... you are moving to CO... what exactly do you hope to gain by this conquest?]
"I can't believe that I just did that!" [neither can we, my friend]
As I told my friend Louise, a few good things came out of this email:
1. a very good laugh on a Monday morning
2. a forewarning to run in the opposite direction in case this gentleman decides CO is not for him and moves
back to TN
3. a new standard by which to judge stalkers and/or lame pick-ups
ie. "Oh, he totally just pulled a Jichael Mett on that one!" or, "well, it's fine if you email him, but just don't
get all Jichael Mett on him" [I know we said we were changing the names to protect the innocent, but
girls, if this guy tries to ask you out, you need to know who he is! Sorry to bust up your game Jichael.]
I think the word you're all struggling to find is tool.
Friday, August 13, 2004
What's copasetic got to do- got to do with it?
Random sidenote: I just thought about this- is it weird that 2 of the cars in my family are named after males? Someone- I can't remember who- got onto me the other day because they said all cars are supposed to be females. I disagree. I have had Thomas since I was 16 and he's named after a very dear friend. Plus, I told this person (fess up if you're reading this, b/c I can't remember who I had this discussion with), I am not a lesbian. I want a boy car. End of random side note.
Now. I learned a new word last night and thought I'd do my civic duty and educate the masses: copasetic. This just very well might go on my list of favorite words. Hunkering, by the way, is going on my list of Not Favorite words- as in, the people of Florida are hunkering down, preparing for Hurricane Charley. Copasetic, as it were, means that everything's balanced, and on an even keel. I even pulled a George W at our SOGWEAW lunch this afternoon and commented on the un-copasetic weather or something. There were those dissenters among us who claimed that un-copasetic is not a word, and to that I say, oh, so next you're going to tell me that gruntled isn't a word either, huh? Well, this gruntled girl is mediocrely plugging along, waiting for 5 o'clock to come so she can enjoy her copasetic weekend. So there. Ari- that was for you. Jinx you owe me a post.
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
the 7 stages of a relationship
1. sort of talking
2. talking
3. more talking/ early stages of dating
4. dating without labels
5.dating with quasi-labels
6. boyfriend/girlfriend
7. serious relationship
This may not be verbatim, but I still think it is pure crap, but he is a guy, so what do I know? Judging by our conversation, he is apparently not content that he and I did not ever actually date, although I have a stuffed pink elephant that cost him $45 dollars to win for me at Gattiland. Correction. Had. The elephant is no longer in my posession. He doesn't need to know that though.
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
Planned spontaneity
Me: Knock knock
you: who's there?
Me: Control freak! Ok, nowyousaycontrolfreakwho!
But is wanting to make the best use of your time such a bad thing, really? I pose this question to the dark void in hopes that it will answer me. So good night, dear void. (Rhonda Lu, that YGM quote was for you!)
Monday, August 09, 2004
Weekend update
Friday, August 06, 2004
Divas-in-training
Thursday, August 05, 2004
Dave does Nashvegas
OMG, this guy rocks my face off! He was so great last night- and I swear, the concerts just keep getting better and better. While I was disapointed that he didn't play Crash, my all-time Dave Fave, I was excited to hear Granny, Crush and Satellite. He also played some old, old stuff that he hasn't done in a while, and then of course, mixed in the 4 new ones he's been playing this summer. I wasn't too crazy about the random stuff he threw in there (Cry Freedom? I mean, come on Dave, what's up with that?) But we girls had a great time. Lana, Courtney, Janelle and I met some Phi Delts from USI and hung out with them all night. Good times were had, even though it poured down rain before the show even started. True, I felt like crap this morning, but it was all worth it. It does suck being in the "real world" though, where you wake up, feel like crap and Still have to go into work. There is no skipping class anymore. It's not optional. Someone should change that I think. So while everyone else I was with last night was sleeping soundly this morning, my disoriented self had to get me here to the good ole' B&J. Which by the way, sleeping in my new contacts: not a good idea. I did not enjoy that experience. But much love to George & Laura for putting me to bed and waking me up this morning, respectively.
Wednesday, August 04, 2004
Hurricane Alex
Ok People! Who's excited about the official start of Hurricane season?! This is a pic of Hurricane Alex that just scraped by the outer banks of North Carolina. It was only a category 1 hurricane, so nothing to get too worked up over. But if you'll notice out there in the Atlantic there are 2- count'em, 2- tropical depressions making their way towards us as we speak. Now don't get me wrong here- I don't revel in other people's misfortunes. I don't want houses destroyed, vacations ruined, and lives endangered- but I just Love the anticipation of a storm hitting, and the power of these tremendous systems facinate me. As the weathermen count down the hours of an approaching hurricane they always have that one idiot guy down by the coast with the rain and wind whipping around his jacket that's about to fly right off him. And if they catch on film debris flying being him in the background, well folks, that's just a Good shot. And have you ever noticed how they always tell you to evacuate- don't go near the water because of the storm surge and dangerous winds, and where are they? Yes, you are correct- right in the middle of it. All for the sake of bringing us the latest news . These guys are absolute heros. Heather B, I know you feel me on this, as you have your own personal relationship and admiration for Raleigh meteorologist, Greg Fishel.



