Here, There and Everywhere

The past week has been crazy to say the least. Thursday dad and I flew to Las Vegas with Ann and Rick to attend the HD Expo, one of the top hospitality and commercial product expo for everything from fabric, flooring, furniture and my favorite, Serta sheep! This trip we were staying at the five-month old Aria, part of the gigantic new complex City Center. It is supposed to be the premier place, but it was mediocre in everything. Service was okay, food was awful, employees were unhelpful. Defiantly won't stay there again. We also got to see the new Cirque show, Viva Elvis, which was a little disappointing. It just didn't have the impact that their other shows like "O" or Love have.

Thursday afternoon and all day Friday we went to the show. For lunch we ate at Todd English's Pub which had the best mac and cheese I have ever eaten and Serendipity 3. Apparently all of Las Vegas is short staffed because restaurants have tons of tables open but you wait 30 minutes or more. Dad left his cell phone in the taxi going to the show Friday so I spent a while trying to track it down and then pay $16 in taxi fair for him bringing it (he totally ripped me off because no where in Vegas costs that much; the airport is only $11). We had to great meals at Tao and Joe's Stone Crab and a horrible meal at Sorio (I didn't know you could make pasta taste that bad).

Probably the coolest thing about Aria was is art walk. All around the property, which is huge, is sculptures, paintings and 3-D art.

With about three hours of sleep I got on a plane and headed to Orlando to meet Cole and see the final Spring Awakening tour show. I am so glad that Cole and I were able to work it out to go because it was so neat to be able to see it one last time. Also, Charlotte Wakefield from the London cast was over and I got to see her again. The worst part was the drive back to Columbia where we arrived at 5:20 a.m. For dinner around midnight we stopped at a sketchy Arby's where one guy was topless with a swimsuit and the guy taking out order thought it necessary to explain to Cole that small, medium and large meant that the meal came in different sizes.

My reason for going back to Columbia (other than the fact that my ride lived there!) was to go to the graphics workshop that the j-school was offering. I have always been fascinated with graphics, but never understood how to work the programs. Unfortunately due to my schedule I was only able to go to 2 of the 5 classes. While I was in Columbia I got to take it easy and see some friends. Laura came to visit after her trip to Spain and brought me the coolest flamingo dress apron (pink with white polka dots and ruffles!). I also got to catch up with Meredith, who I meet working at the alumni association. It had been a while since we had caught up, but it was great to see her and meet Nicholas, who is way too cute! Meredith has been such a help guiding me in graduate school. Having been through the program, she was very insightful about courses and COMPs; I really couldn't have done it without her. I don't know if she remembers, but she had helped me through the application process and the day I got she was the first person I told when my parents called me to tell me I had gotten in. Ok, back to the present.

Tuesday Cole graciously drove me to Florence where my mom meet us and I went home and started packing! I did pretty well but I still had a lot of stuff that need to come with me!

The Big Move

It seems like I have been planning it forever, but the big move is finally here! In two days I will be in NYC and Sunday I move into my place for the summer. People keep asking me if I am nervous and I would be lying if I said I wasn't, but my excitement far exceeds my nervousness. Getting packed seems to be a much bigger problem for me than any fears I have about living in the city. Yeah, I know it will be different, but with that same note there are bound to be things about it that I come to like better than the south. We'll see!

Finally Saying 'I Do'

Some thought it might never happen, but Dean has finally said 'I Do.' The lucky lady, Hope, is delightful and truly makes him happy unlike anyone else he has ever been with. She also has a wonderful daughter, Paige. The big day was this past Saturday and boy are we glad it is over! They started planning the wedding about four months ago and it is all we have heard about. Dad was best man number 1 so we had a little more involvement.

Surprisingly everything pretty much fell into place for the most part. Friday evening was the rehearsal dinner, which was fun to see all his family and friends, most of whom we have known for years. The toasts were especially heartfelt, but they also reminded us of those who weren't going to be at the wedding, Dean's parents and older sister, who have all passed away. After Jeanie, Dean's sister, friends and cousins told funny stories for their childhood and then Dean rounded out the evening. He initially had a rather thick stack of index cards, but in his nervousness, he dropped them and then said, "my speech just got a lot shorter."

Saturday morning came way too early. I helped Lynn with photos before the wedding and started by joining the men at Dean's house for drinks. We had been really rushed the whole weekend and I hadn't picked up dad's suit until around 11:30 and he didn't open it to put it on until 1:30ish (we had to be at Dean's at 2). To our shock, it was this atrocious zoot suit that was pin striped with a long coat that hit right above his knees and black and white shoes! At this point I had lost all faith in Dean's fashion taste.

As we headed to Dean's house we were asked to pick him up lunch and found out that Opie, his beloved kitty, was missing. Opie is a big cat, but a fraidy cat too. Ended up that he was just hiding really well, thank goodness. I got into the house first and realized that all the guys had on black suits. A little confused at first, I realized by there hysterical laughter that it was a joke and dad was the only one with the heinous suit (a hat and chain were optional with rental). It was fun and Dean really needed the laugh.

All in all it was a fun wedding. The reception was at 2001 and the band was great. We danced the night away and finally got to bed a little after midnight.

And the Verner Award goes to...

Not the Oscars, but still a great honor, the Verner Award is the highest honor in the state of South Carolina for the arts awarded by the Governor. Even last August when I started working at the Arts Commission, I have been hearing about the awards and the Arts Gala that goes with it. Frankly, I was really excited because event planning is right up my alley and throw in the arts, what could make for a better event?!?!? This year was especially exciting because two lifetime achievement awards were being given out to author Pat Conroy and artist Jonathan Green. Both of these men have brilliant works of art and I was excited to get to meet them.

Luckily, my assignment was photography (yes!), so I spent all Thursday taking photos (about 1,500 to be exact). We started at the Statehouse around 11, waited for the House to adjourn and then the award statues, which are beautiful, were presented by the speaker of the house. Then we had a break before having to be at the Columbia Museum of Art around 5 to help set up. The biggest this was getting the art set up for the silent auction, but tables and registration needed setting up too. At 6:30 there was a private reception for sponsors and major donors and then the gala started at 7.

It was a little chaotic because set up, especially of the art, was behind, but everyone seemed to have a great time. I am sad to say that my time is over with the arts commission. It has been so much fun working with a the arts, but also with people who all love the arts and many of whom are artists themselves.

At the same time as the Verner Awards were presented, two Folk Heritage Awards were presented as well. The two recipients both carry on the great traditions of the state and showcased their talents during the Wednesday evening reception and at the Statehouse.

To see all the photos, go to scartscommission.shutterfly.com

Glee and Dora, what could be better!

It's a fact. I have some of the most amazing friends in the world. Sadly, some of them live farther away then others, so I don't get to see them as much as I would like, but they are amazing none-the-less. So Glee-watching is a weekly get together here in Columbia and last night was no exception, except that Molly was in town from Charleston so she got to join us! She came over after I got off work and we playing Monopoly Here and Now, which I don't recommend because you have to count in millions and it's not easy. Later the rest of the gang came over. To my surprise, they came equipped with party gear to celebrate (if you can call going away a celebration) my departure from Columbia.

In honor of dressing up as Dora this past weekend, everything was Dora themed. Plates, napkins, balloons and pin the bracelet on Dora. The creepiest thing was the Dora mask, which looked like something from a Halloween movie. It was so much fun. As it gets closer to leaving, I have realized all the things I am going to miss. As much as I have loved school and everything I have learned, it is the people. I have meet some fabulous people here and I am not ready to leave them. Our game nights and Glee nights are just great get togethers and I will miss them terribly.

Not to end on a sad note, we had a blast last night and rounded out the night with pizza and cake!

Twitterhunt

For a couple of months now, I have followed Martina McBride on Twitter. She has always been one of my favorites for country music singers and in the past I have seen her in concert. Following her I noticed that she posts clues in most cities that she goes to and hides two pairs of front row tickets to her show staring around 4:30 the day of the concert. We already had tickets for mom, dad and I because mom really likes Luke Bryan and Blake Sheldon, who were opening the show. But, I really wanted to win the tickets anyways. So like clockwork at 4:30 the clues started.

1st Clue..."this used to be a US Mint...now the "public" goes there"...

From seeing past clues, you kind of figure that the hiding spots are somewhat near the venue because how far is she really going to go to hide tickets? Our immediate thought was Publix's and the second clue confirmed our thought. So dad and I raced out of my condo (he almost forgot his shorts!) and drove down to Publix's. By the time we arrived, the addendum for clue two was posted.

Clue #2...."I would go here to get food...or flowers....or maybe rent a movie..."

The addendum to clue 2 sent everyone searching (surprisingly there were a lot of people, like 25 or so) looking for the tickets in cookbooks and recipe suggestion areas of the store, but with no luck did anyone find the tickets.

Clue #2 addendum... "maybe you can't rent a movie here..but you can get tips on what to cook for supper."

Clue three was the giveaway and after getting that it was luck as to who would find the tickets.

Clue #3....."Once you get there, you might find I'm up to my old Trix"

I will say that I had home store advantage because this the Publix I frequent for my grocery shopping, so once I saw Trix I rant to the cereal aisle and located the Trix. It was me and this other girl pulling out the boxes. And it was after I got a few boxes out that I saw them. A white envelope set toward the back of the shelf. I had actually found the tickets! To be honest, a day later, it still hasn't set in. I remember walking back to the front of the store and showing dad that I got them and then calling mom laughing at the thought that we had actually gotten them.

When we got to the venue the annoying ticket people told me that I couldn't bring in my camera because it had a detachable lens. I argued with them for a while, got annoyed and walked out and around to another door, where I hid my camera a little better and held my small camera in the my hand and vola, I got it in. So me and hundreds of other people used our cameras with detachable lenses and the world hasn't come to an end.

Camera policies make me mad because the venues have no understanding of cameras and their policies reflect that. My everyday camera with a detachable lens has far less zoom than the normal point and shoot camera. Or my favorite is no professional cameras. What is that? Off my soapbox...

For Luke Bryan and Blake Sheldon, mom sat front with me and then switched with Lauren who came down for Martina McBride. To backtrack, Carrie Underwoods concert was bad to say the least, so I was hoping for a better concert and was sure Martina McBride would do it. What I think I loved best was that she sang so many of her older songs, which I love and mixed in a few new songs, but not too many. The stage was simple, but effective. Probably my favorite part was when she came out for her encore in a Carolina jersey. It made my night!

Dora the Explorer (and Diego, too!)

Ok... here's a crazy question- are you or someone you know around 5 to 5 ft. 3 in. tall and interested in wearing a Dora or Diego costume at a Carolina baseball game? We will treat you to dinner! It could be a fun experience. Let me know if you are interested. Thanks!

That is the Facebook status that started it all. My friend Jordan put out a request for people who would be interested suiting up. I put that I liked her status and that ended up leading to me volunteering to be Dora. This would be my first time suiting up in any type of full costume with a head and I wasn't sure what to expect, but it is something I have always wanted to do. That still left the position of Diego unfilled. So my other friend, Laura, stepped up and agreed to be Diego!

When we first arrive at the baseball stadium, our costumes were in huge black cases. Luckily we opened Diego first because he came with dressing instructions that were needed to get the suit on in the correct order. You would be surprised, but the costumes come in ten pieces. Once we got Diego figured out, it was on to Dora. The oddest part of the costumes are the thong like body suits that give you the shape. The shoes are the hardest part because they are so big it makes it hard to walk. Dora has the extra complication of having to hold Boots with her right had, which gets pretty heavy.

The day consisted of two 20 minute stints where Dora and Diego went out seperate and then one time where we went out together. It was really cool to see the excitement of the kids when they got to see us. The only down side was that is was soooo hot in the costumes. By the time we suited up for the third time, our costumes were still wet from the second trip.

We were almost finished with our last trip when I got surrounded by middle school boys who were screaming at Dora and banging on the head and pushing. At that moment I felt assured I was going to fall over. It is not easy to balance and they were pushing so hard. The guy that was escorting me was trying to get in but it was my cousin Diego that came to the rescue. He came swimming through the crowd and grabbed my hand giving me a pull and helping me get away.

That pretty much wrapped up our day as Dora and Diego, but we were now starving for food. One problem: we smelled really bad (not to mention we didn't look great either!). Ended up that hunger prevailed and we sprayed ourselves with some travel lysol i had in the car that took away our smell long enough to let us eat!

Fanatic Fan

This weekend marks three concerts playing at the Colonial Life Arena. Kicking off the weekend was Taylor Swift, followed by Carrie Underwood and last but not least tonight Martina McBride will take the stage tonight with Blake Sheldon and Luke Wilson.

Friday night Jillian, Ashley and I headed to the concert and we were meet there by lost of younger fans, some who seemed too young for a concert, but whatever. Excitement was definetly in the air, but it was a little disappointing to arrive and find that Kellie Pickler had cancelled her set for the evening. So Gloriana opening and then came Taylor Swift. I had seen her before at the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach and when she opening for Rascal Flatts last year, but this was certainly the best show by far. The set was great, two LED rounded pillars, 3 sets of stairs and a huge background LED board that filled in the whole back drop. All of these changed from lockers to woods with the stairs being waterfalls to a castle. They also had graphics that coordinated with different songs, but everything had a purpose and was very well done. Also great costume changes and use of backup dancers. We were in the 29th row on the floor, which weren't great for the most part, except we had been given a heads up that she would come down a back staircase and perform in the 100 section and then perform a stage at the the back, right next to our seats! That was probably the best part of the night. And her mom stood back there the whole time in the sound booth and she is so sweet.

The only downside was that we had a creeper beside us. After he got his knife taken away he proceeded to take pictures and video tape during her whole performance. He would get made when people got in his field of view and messed up his photos and some of the time he would sit in his chair and shake. Really weird. But it was overall a great concert.

Next up was Carrie Underwood. Jordan had her suite from work and we all sat up there to watch the show. Opening for the show was Sons of Silvia (who i had never heard of) and Craig Morgan, both were boring. Up next came Carrie Underwood. Coming after Taylor Swift, her set was a joke and concert as a whole lacked flow. Oh, and do you remember the screen savers from the '90s that had the weird shapes that morphed on the screen or the starburst? Well, that was the graphics on her screen. I am still perplexed and dumbfounded by the whole thing. I found myself bored and the concert was not engaging at all. Carrie is a good singer, but you are just as well to listen to a cd than waste time seeing her in person.

Up next tonight is Martina McBride! Hoping for something better!