The Hurricane That Never Was

...at least in my location.

I'm currently sitting in my living room and looking out my window at the rain and while every once and a while the wind picks up slightly, this really isn't a hurricane. Its just a bad(ish) and constant storm.

I was in a store yesterday and the woman at the counter asked if I was prepared and had all of my water and other essentials and I kind of smiled and nodded, though I really didn't. I feel that everyone was blowing this storm out of proportion. I understand that New Englanders really haven't had much experience with hurricanes and that they have a much better understanding of snow and blizzards, but really?

I'm not saying it wasn't worse in the south and that at some point it wasn't a decent hurricane. It was and unfortunately in a couple of states, lives were lost. There has been damage and massive power outages in some places.

I think I'm just bitter because everyone at work was in semi-panic mode and I had to do things, though I doubted it would be needed. But, in the long run...it is better to be over-prepared and have nothing happen rather than being under-prepared and have everything happen.

Now...do I 'brave' the weather and head out to the store...only to find that its closed because everyone felt that this was the storm leading the way to Armageddon?

Decisions...decisions...

Best Ice Cream...In New England

Ah yes. For those who have read my Blue Bell Ice Cream post were probably wondering by that title whether I had lost my mind or not. Not to fear my readers...I have not...but I did recently travel up north to visit the undeniable quintessential ice cream of the north: BEN & JERRY'S.

First of all, let me preface that this trip wasn't just for ice cream. No. It was to see my roommate at her summer gig in New Hampshire. But since a tour at the ice cream factory of her choice is only about an hour and a half away from her, we make the decision to have a day together!

Our journey begins on an early Saturday morning in August. The weather is great and the driving is even better. The first stop is the Vermont Welcome Center. I grab all of the pamphlets I can (why? why not?!) and then its back on the road after stretching my legs (and answering some work questions from the road).

We found the roomie on the side of the road. Just kidding. We met at a gas station so we could leave one car...but she was getting in ours. Why?

It was a convertible!!!

We arrive at Ben & Jerry's and take in the tragic Flavor Graveyard. Well...not tragic for me (as I rarely ate the ice cream) but it was interesting to see the flavors that bit the dust.

Beautiful site isn't it?!

This was our tour guide, Owen, the third best tour guide they had. (This was said by the ice cream dipper behind him). Lol.

Time for some pictures....

And why not some tie dye! Here Robyn is helping me with my quick change!

So after the tie dye adventure, we headed to nearby Montpelier to walk around and eat some tasty dinner, before heading back to New Hampshire to catch roomie's show!


The show was 'interesting' but overall pretty good for having been put together in 10 days. The best part was just getting to see and hang out with my Robyn! :-)


I did feel bad on our drive home...kind of fell asleep...leaving Andy to drive with no one to talk to...sorry!! But it was a great trip that I'd be happy to repeat!!

We Are Family

...I got all my sisters with me!

Ok, so I don't actually have any sisters, but the idea is the same. I've got all my family with me...which means its FAMILY REUNION TIME!

That's right...the first Saturday is August every year is dedicated to my family reunion (on my father's side)...so that meant just a few weeks I ago I hopped in my car and headed up to the middle of Maine to gather with other family members from the area and across the country.

It had been two years since my mom and I made the trek to our reunion...and I think every two years is a good length. Granted...before that it had been probably ten years, and that was great too. ;-) Last year, my mom and I ended up at the beach in NJ with my grandmother (mom's side) and that prevented us from getting to the reunion.

The big reason for actually heading up this year was due to all of my cousins making the journey as well. I was going to be able to see them, my uncles, aunts, new babies, etc...all in all a great reason to travel.

By the time I arrived on Friday, I was already exhausted, ready to head back home. The weather was hot, but the pond we were going to be gathering on was beautiful, just like last time. We headed over to another house for dinner and I got rather chilly. After a tasty meal and my dad being hit in the nose by a glow stick (long story)...we headed back to the house to sleep.

After a calm early morning by the pond...

...the rest of the morning involved my mom and I building a hammock and a volleyball net among other things and then people started arriving. A day of bean bag toss (or Corn Hole as its known in the south), swimming (not for me), eating (yes, I did that), catching up and more food (come on...my family revolves around food). I was ready to call it a night.

I never made it to the bonfire and fireworks (honestly, I'm not sure anyone did). Though I did have a bed mate for the weekend.

By morning, I was packing up my things and starting the trip back.

The weather ended up being wonderful, with the sun shining on Saturday and starting to rain early Sunday morning. The drive was long and wet for sure...but I do admit, it was worth it to see my family again.

But it will still probably be another two years before I'm back...as my mom and I are thinking back to the beach next year! :-)

Home Sweet Home

Who says you can't come home again?

Not me. I was able to go home for the first time in two years. TWO YEARS! It was a short trip, but a relaxing one all at the same time.

Flying into Albuquerque and seeing the mountains and mesas and deserts...was just soothing. There is something about it that makes me take a deep breath and relax that much more. Besides...New Mexico is wild kingdom....see?

While I was home I watched movies, read books, had a whole day at the spa, got a pedicure with my mom, went out to dinner with my dad...and...

...hung out with my kitty!

She obviously was very excited to have me home...can't you tell?

Here's to hoping that it's not another two years before I'm home again.

City Who?

The drive-in represents a time long gone...or maybe not.

I was able to go to the local drive-in movie theatre that only reopened a few years ago and again, it was a wonderful experience. We picked up my former intern and nabbed a great space to see...wait for it....

CITY SLICKERS

What? Never heard of it? You think it's old? Why did I see it?

For those who have never heard of the movie, its a Billy Crystal movie about three friends who have an adventure of herding cattle from New Mexico to Colorado, while dealing with their own mid-life crises.

I had never seen it before, so that was one reason we chose this movie. And two, I was kind of on a time crunch. Scheduling between all of us was tight on when we were all available, so that limited our selection.

Honestly, I was very happy. Had a great day of bowling and dinner, prior to the main event of the movie and got to catch up with my girl Amanda! Not a bad day at all!

Confession

Forgive me readers, for I have sinned. It has been almost 2 months since my last blog entry.

But have no fear...four more will follow this post, so stay tuned! ;-)

Feeling Good = Crazy Love

I had the privilege of recently attending a Michael Buble concert and it was one of the most amazing experiences ever. This was only my second concert in my life (Maroon 5 at my college was my first) and it definitely didn't disappoint!

For those who have never heard of Michael Buble...you probably have and you just don't know it. He is a great showman and has an awesome voice (think Frank Sinatra, but hipper and more pop).

This Canadian performer was in town during the Stanley Cup Finals (particularly Games 6 & 7). I mention this because he being a Canucks fan enjoyed taunting the local Bruins fans plenty during the concert, which I found entertaining. While there were a few boos during those moments, the arena was constantly full of cheering. (PS...the joke was on him as the Canucks did lose...for those who don't follow hockey). He was also sporting a beard, which isn't such a normal thing for him (again, another hockey playoff thing).

Please enjoy the following videos and photos I have of the evening and come along for a musical journey! :-)

(Disclaimer...all these videos were not professionally produced...as you will clearly tell...and were for personal enjoyment for remembering an awesome night! Because of this, I apologize for the crappy quality, though the sound is good, and for some of the abrupt endings of the clips. I blame the iPhone. Enjoy!)

I had come into this concert knowing all of Buble's music. In his latest album, the first track "Cry Me A River" just cries out to be an opening number...and I was pleased to see that it was...

Throughout the evening, Michael would tell stories and experiences about becoming and being a performer. He mentioned that when he was younger he actually wanted to be an actor. Then he talked about how when he began singing, he wanted to be Michael Jackson so badly...which led to this performance...

As Michael introduced the members of his band, his comedic skills showed. But through it all you could tell that he really did consider these guys part of his family. He had a great moment while introducing his pianist (who also writes songs with Buble) in talking about how the pianist would come into his dressing room and help him warm up. The songs of choice (which he did demonstrate): "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey and "A Whole New World" from Disney's Aladdin. I kid you not. Both hilarious!!

With all of the new songs from his latest CD, I was thrilled that he also performed some of his older hits, like "Home" seen below... (ps...please notice how he takes a girls camera/phone and gives it to someone else. Earlier in the song he picked it up and sang into it and taped the crowd before giving it back. This time, he just took it.....and yes, at the end, he did give it back.)

Naturally 7, his opening act, came out and performed a few songs with him, which was wonderful, even collaborating on one of Buble's latest hits, "Hollywood"...

My favorite album is Michael's "It's Time" and I have a connection to many of the songs on it. One of my absolute favorite songs is the first track called "Feeling Good" and man, he did not disappoint. What I loved was that this was the beginning of his encore...and it was incredible.

The finale of "Feeling Good"

One of the last things that Michael did was one of the most breathtaking moments for me, especially as a singer myself. I wish I had gotten on video but it wouldn't have had the same impact...plus I was so mesmerized by it. He closed his concert in front of his closed curtain, singing the last eight bars of "Song for You" a cappella and without his mic. Hushing the crowd with his finger to his mouth, his pure voice carried through the arena almost effortlessly. He commanded the room from the moment he stepped on stage and he held that intensity through the very last note.

Simply amazing.