Last weekend I went home to California for my 10 year High School Reunion! It was actually a LOT of fun and it was great to see people I hadn’t seen in 10 years. My weekend started out on Thursday night, when my flight was delayed 2 1/2 hours in Nashville. So I didn’t make it home until 11pm instead of 8pm, but at least it was the same day. My mom met me at the airport and then we stayed up until about 1am just catching up.

Friday we went and saw a matinee, Vicky Christina Barcelona, the new Woody Allen film. I thought it was quite perfect and Javier Bardem sold himself as a romantic Spaniard following his role as a serial killer. Scarily, both were very believable. Scarlett Johansson was superb as always, and Penelope Cruz was a raving lunatic, which she does quite well. Anyway, the story had a few flaws, or maybe there just wasn’t enough time to show the full character development, but I found the lead’s role a little hard to believe.

Friday night we had dinner with my best friend Meredith and then she and I headed to 2nd Street for a few drinks without mom. We ended up at a bar where they were playing the Titans vs. Raiders game, so I had a good time watching the Titans win in the last few seconds. As always, it was wonderful to see Meredith, I just wish I could’ve stayed longer!

Saturday mom and I saw another movie, this time one with a little more hilarity. Tropic Thunder. Ben Stiller. Robert Downey Jr. What else do you need? It was pretty ridiculous, but we laughed the whole time. I love that I can watch stuff like that with my mom.

Saturday night was the actual reunion at the Queen Mary and it was a pretty nice event. There were probably about 175 people there (out of a class of 650), and I recognized all but maybe 5 people. Although not too many of my theater friends were there, I did get to see a few of them and then a whole bunch of people I “kinda” knew.

After the main event, we went down to Seal Beach and hung out at O’Malley’s, a local Irish Pub, until they closed. It must be a pretty popular hangout because it was packed with people our age. I made some new friends and chilled with some old friends and overall had a great night.

Next….my 5-year college reunion! That’s already coming up in October, I can hardly believe it! I’ll know even less people from my college class, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be just as much fun! Plus, my friend Angelo is coming down from Chicago since he graduated the same year, so I’ll get to see him again! Stay tuned!

Golly gee I haven’t blogged in a while. I have a few posts started, but was too lazy to finish them. At the current time, I am waiting for my delayed flight home to California. According to the last overhead announcement, the plane that was to depart from NYC at 5pm is not leaving until 7:30pm, and thus my 5:55 flight won’t be leaving until 8:30. Which is not too far away now. I spent some of my delay at the Tootsie’s bar nearby, listening to live music and chatting with others at the bar. As long as I get home tonight, I’ll be okay. Of course I wish I would’ve known there’d be a delay so I could’ve changed out of my work clothes, but now I’m still outfitted in my dressy grays. Oh well.

In case you’re wondering why I am going home (like one needs a reason to go to California!), this weekend is my High School reunion. I’ll let you guess how many years. I’m pretty excited. I haven’t really seen anyone from HS since…well, HS. Should be quite a trip. I hope a lot of people go to the event. We’re having it at the Queen Mary, which should be an elegant location. It may be a little weird at first, showing up alone, but I’m sure I’ll get over that quick enough. I’ll be sure to post an update when I return!

We all have this sweater. Or scarf. Or hat.

I have a feeling Aunt B will someday have a bunch of grandchillens who boast of their gramma’z knitting.

Where to start!?

I think a good place to start is that I got a promotion! Whoo hoo. On July 21st I am starting my new position of Manager of IT Operations for a new off-site facility. It is a great opportunity for me to use the skills I’ve acquired over the past 5 years and to learn a whole lot more about everything IT. Its very exciting and I’m doing my share of celebrating.

Tonight I went to the French Quarter Cafe with my co-worker/friend Melissa to see her husband perform. He was really excellent and its a surprisingly cool venue. The stage itself was pretty impressive. I ran into my blogger buddy, Annie Parsons, who was slated to perform after a few more rounds. I thought we would stay long enough to see her, but we ended up heading out before she got ready to play. I really hope I can see her perform soon, since she is totally Nashville-music-scene worthy.

Speaking of Nashville music scene, a friend and I went to a friendly Irish bar in Green Hills as phase II of our night out last night and enjoyed the musical stylings of….some guy who did covers. Sorry, didn’t catch his name. We all sang loudly and threw darts and had a great time. Until one of us slipped in the rain in the parking lot. Yeah…that’s gonna hurt.

OMG, is the mom in “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody” new??? She has the same hairdo, same body structure, but she doesn’t walk the same or have the expressionisms. Yes, expressionisms. And yes, I watch the Disney channel. Hannah Montana is on next.

Speaking of Hannah Montana…oh, I cant. But I’m working on something exciting that may eventually involve her. Hopefully. We’ll see. Night loves.

you hear about who do stupid things on the lake, especially on holiday weekends? Well, I think I might be one of them. I went out with a friend yesterday and, while inner tubing, hit my eye with my knee. Yes, it is possible…and I’ll show you how if you don’t believe me.

But anyway, I didn’t know it at the time, but I actually got a 1.5cm laceration deep enough to warrant stitches. Unless I could settle with a nice big scar above my right eye. Which I cannot. Here is said laceration:

So, yesterday I spent almost 4 hours in the Vanderbilt ED and was told I did indeed need stitches. Hurray! They did a really good job and it looks even better today:

Nice eye shadow, huh? I think I may put some on the other eye just so they match. Can’t wait to see how colorful it gets.

Last night I went with my downstairs neighbors and a few of their friends to the Nashville Art Walk (I don’t know if that’s the official title, but that’s what they were calling it) downtown. Apparently, once a month, a number of art galleries open up late and people walk from gallery to gallery (partaking in wine at each location) or take the little bus around. There were some incredible pieces, one insane installation and a lot of eclectic art.

Anyway, we were at the third stop and I saw someone I recognized. My immediate thought was “that guy is famous”. I racked my brain and realized who I thought it was, Colin Firth from Bridget Jones’ Diary/Love Actually. However, I couldn’t think of “Firth” and the only Colin name I could come up with was Colin Quinn….obviously two very different people. But having had a glass or two of wine already, I ran to my new friends and said “Colin Quinn is here!” and I pointed in this guy’s direction. I was immediately brought down from my enthusiastic state, even though I tried to explain who I thought he was, the guy from Bridget Jones’ Diary, but everyone just thought I was hilariously drunk.

Then it hit me. I knew this guy from work. He’s a doctor in my building. But wait, before you laugh too loudly at me, look at these pictures. Don’t they look a lot alike?

First picture: Colin Firth, Second picture: NOT Colin Firth

I wish I could find a better picture of this guy…his half-smiling picture doesn’t convey the level to which they look alike.

Once I realized my mistake, I went up to him and told him my funny story. He was friendly and sympathetic. I guess he gets it all the time. Or at least that’s what he said to make me feel better. It was quite an event, definitely one to leave a first impression of sorts on my new friends. We all had a good laugh about it though and I’m sure it won’t be the last time we do.

My new cable box was delivered yesterday, very exciting. I was able to catch up on the first episode of Season 2 of The Tudors on Showtime so that made my night. To make it even better, when I push the “All On” button on the remote, it turns everything on, without me having to program it and without me having to time it so the TV comes on before the cable box, something I had to do previously. Also, since I’m running the sound out of the TV, the Comcast remote controls the sound too. One remote, that makes me happy.

Of course that will only last until I get other stuff hooked up, like a DVD player or stereo (if I choose to). I do have an old stereo set that I thought worked, but I’m getting that “Protection, Good-bye” message when I try to turn it on. I’ve disconnected and reconnected everything, which I’ve been told means there’s probably a short in the box. Don’t think I can fix that! Oh well.

Last night I also went to Flying Saucer to see my friend John for his birthday. He’s a regular there and I like the atmosphere and food, so its an easy choice. Didn’t stay long, but long enough for a beer and cake! Yum!

This weekend I attended two Belmont Senior Honors productions and was more than impressed. The first was a production of Neil LaBute’s “The Shape of Things” and it took place at Actor’s Bridge’s Neuhoff studio. It really made me nostalgic since that was where I did my first directing debut in Nashville, also a LaBute play. My ABE friend, Jessika, directed it (also a Belmont alum), but it was really the creation of a Belmont Senior, Brittany McManus, who produced and starred in the show. She did an excellent job all around. In typical LaBute style, the show had a twisted ending that left the audience questioning their own moral perception on a difficult, yet seemingly justifiable act. The overall production was very simple, yet very effective.

The second production was later that same night at Belmont’s new blackbox theater. It was an absurdist play called “Accidental Death of an Anarchist”. The production was well-done, but either my tiredness or my anticipation of a climax left me a little drained. Although it was thoroughly enjoyable, the rest of the crowd seemed to laugh significantly more than I did. I think some of it had to do with the fact that the audience was predominantly Belmont students who were familiar with the cast members, making the craziness of it all that more entertaining. It actually reminded me a lot of a play I’ve always wanted to direct/produce called “Firebugs”. Its quirky, timely, and not shy about being political.

All in all, the whole evening really made me miss directing in general. It also made it very clear that Belmont has a significantly more advanced approach to directing education than the one I received. Although I wasn’t at Vandy long enough to take all the “proper” pre-reqs to direct, the Directing emphasis seemed less encouraged, less celebrated than the one I witnessed this weekend. The fact that Belmont students have the option to do an Honor’s Thesis really says something about the program. I have to admit, I’m a little jealous.

So tomorrow we leave for San Francisco for four nights, before heading to Long Beach to see my mom and brother. In San Fran, we have a few activities planned, including tickets to a comedy club, a wine country/redwoods tour, a 49ers game, and the typical touristy stuff. Actually, I’m not sure if we have a free moment left in our schedule. Should be lots of fun.

Then, we head to Long Beach until the 30th to spend Christmas with my mom and brother. This will be the first time ever that Jason and I have spent Christmas morning together at my mom’s house. Awwww. Its also the first Christmas morning where someone other than me, my mom, dad and brother was present. Said another way, it’ll be the first time since my father died that there will be four people in front of the tree, so it is significant in many ways. Christmas morning is one of those things in my family that is a tradition, and its about the only one we have that’s tried and true. It was hard being away from home last year, but everything evens out in the end.

Our friend Helen is watching the dogs and the house, which is a great comfort while we travel.

We also get to see my BFF Meredith and I’m so excited about that. On Friday the 28th, we’re taking a day trip down to San Diego to go to the zoo. I haven’t been in sooooo long, and, of course, Jason has never been.

It seems this trip holds a lot of “firsts” for us, which is nice after being together for 6+ years.

Here’s to many more “firsts” yet to come!

Its that time of year again when we have to come up with good gift ideas for our parents and in-laws with little or no help from them at all. I have been talking with my co-worker about said dilemma and she has some excellent suggestions that I thought I’d share.

1. Tervis Tumber - These cute tumblers have a lifetime guarantee to never break and come in all sorts of personalized designs. You can pick your own glitter colors, if that’s what you like, or you can have someone’s name put inside the plastic. If one ever breaks, you just pack it in a box and they’ll send you a new one, no questions asked. For family members who have everything except a personalized tumbler, here’s your chance! Single tumblers range from $3-$15 and sets range from $38-$42 depending on size. Not bad for a lifetime guarantee.

2. Wireless Football Scoreboard from Brookstone - Listed under the “Gifts for Him” section, this clever gift keeps busy by updating the NFL scores every 15 minutes via satellite (I wonder what it does during the off season). No wireless service or plan is needed, it all comes with the purchase of the gadget (for a cool $99). Too bad I didn’t see this one until just now or someone I know probably would’ve gotten it! Maybe for next year…

3. Gifts from The Cosmetic Market - For the mother-in-law who has everything, The Cosmetic Market has a wide array of skin care and pampering products that any woman would enjoy. From Bumble and Bumble to Philosophy to Urban Decay, this place carries some of the most popular and trusted cosmetic brands out there. Little did I know that there are only 2 locations in the US and they are both right here in Nashville, one in Green Hills and the other in Cool Springs (their website announces that they will soon be in Charleston, NC as well). You can bet I’ll be making a last minute trip to The Cosmetic Market this weekend. And maybe I’ll get something for the MIL too.

4. Christmas Ornaments - I’m not usually one for Christmas ornaments but my co-worker insists that its a great tradition to start early in your marriage. Then you have a solid gift you can give every year and most parents (at least here in the south) enjoy personalized or meaningful ornaments. The ones I’ve linked to (and picture below) are from Pottery Barn, but you can find them anywhere from Target to Kohl’s to Macy’s. Its something to think about….hunny, what do you think?

5. Napkin Rings - This idea falls under the same category as the last one, and is another tradition you can start anytime. For families that like to decorate at the holidays (or anytime really), napkin rings are creative yet simple way to add a personal touch. Just like the ornaments, you can find napkin rings in most stores, including Hallmark, Hot Pink (in Brentwood), or even Tiffany’s.

So that’s about it! I hope this list helps someone other than me; I found my co-worker’s ideas to be quite unique and thoughtful. Maybe she’ll share a few more!