In response to Jud...

Jud asked:

I will leave a story below, and then I would like you the reader to do the same, either in a comment or on your own blog. I am not interested in torrid stories of passion; I am interested in the first meeting, or the moment when you knew this person was to be a love in your life, or how you became friends with so and so.

As some of you know I am currently reading "Eat Pray Love" and was reading a little before work this morning and ran across the following passage...



People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that's holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. A true soul mate is probably the most important person you'll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then they leave.



I wish I would have read this many years ago. It makes things seem very clear to me about relationships. All of the heartbreak suffered from past relationships was all to build a better or new-and-improved me.

I leave you with the Chinese symbol for soul mate. May you all find what you need in one.

Papa Murphy's BR Gets Press

Part of my job is sending a press release when we open new stores, launch new products etc. They are rarely picked up but this time it worked! I think it is the uniqueness of the Heart-Shaped Pizza. Check it out...

at 225's site

PB & J

In looking for something to eat in my apt last night (there is no food and I need to visit the store pretty badly), I saw the jar of peanut butter and it reminded me of a conversation I had with a friend a while back...I never knew there were so many ways to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and that there could be a right and wrong way! I was preparing lunch one day for the two of us and she looked puzzled by the way I was making the PB & J. Finally I asked what was wrong and she replied.."that is not how you make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich!" I am in disbelief. I put peanut butter on one side and jelly on the other. I asked if I should put them both on the same piece of bread and she told me "NO". She proceeded to take over the sandwich assembly station. She took a bowl out and mixed the two in a bowl for what seemed like ten minutes, examined the color, added more peanut butter, mixed some more, added more jelly, examined the color (it must have been perfect because she stopped mixing) and then spread the mixture on both pieces of bread. I had never seen anyone do this before but I don't know if I had ever seen anyone make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich other than my mother. Maybe I was misguided by my mother and had been doing it wrong all along? I also remember asking my friend why she didn't use the brand that comes already mixed (or striped) in a jar? She seemed to be disturbed my even asking. Anyway I search google images for PB & J and there are pics of peanut butter on one side and jelly on the other and pics with both on one side, but there are no pics with what looks like a mixture. I think I should call and tell her!

Too Tired to Blog

I am so very tired tonight. Don't think I can compose a blog that would make any sense to anyone...

Coffee Cutback

So I have decided to significantly cutback on the amount of coffee I am drinking. I am now limiting myself to my morning 3 cups. Before, I would continue drinking coffee once arriving to work until about 10:30, then switch to water until a diet coke with lunch, water after lunch until the "want to go to sleep part of the afternoon", which usually hits about 3:00 (about now), then I would usually have another cup of coffee then switch back to water. So today is day one...
I am getting tired following a lite lunch of just tuna (no bread) and I want to run out to Starbucks, CC's or PJ's bad! I will be strong and at least make it through day one. I am working until about 8:30 tonight so it really seems like a long time ahead of me with NO coffee.
I am sure I will feel much better after about 3 or 4 days of cutting back on the coffee, not to mention how much money I will save by not going to CCs or Starbucks!

Kenny G in the House

Sheridan and I saw this guy at Happy's Saturday night. I wish the picture would have captured what was making me laugh so hard, but it just doesn't. The hair, the outfit, the way he was checking out the ladies of Happy's...oh my goodness he was funny.
Oh, and he was in his early 20's...can't tell that from the photo either.

"Tom Cruise Ups Star Power at SAG Awards"...

says who? Super freak Tom Tom ended the show. I was a little disappointed in last nights awards show. I missed 15 minutes when driving home from dinner at my mom's. Who knows it could have been the best 15 minutes of the show so it could have been the best ever SAG awards and I just missed the best part. Tom freaks me out a little lately so his dramatic last presentation entrance was not that special to me. I was watching with Chris when Tom walked out and Chris' comment was "bringing out the big guns" which is apparently the thought of the rest of the world. Quote from my blog title was an NBC headline from yesterday. Last time I checked, Tom Cruise is an actor which make him a member of the Screen Actors Guild, which in turn would make it quite appropriate and not surprising for him to be there. And since he was not nominated for anything (may be a first for him) it makes more than perfect sense that he be a presenter.
The Jolie-Pitts took time out of their busy "do-gooding" and "baby making/ baby buying" schedules to make an appearance too. She was actually nominated, but lost.

SAG Awards tonight!

SAG Awards are tonight! My second favorite awards event. You can download your very own ballot at sagawards.org
Mom made lasagna by the way and it is great visiting with Kristen.
I did venture out again last night. I think we made it to every bar downtown. Schlitz and Giggles was open, but they were only selling pizza...not beer last night. I think they will be fully open by next weekend (update for Natalie). We walked last night which always seem like such a great idea at the beginning of the night...the walk home is usually a zig zag hell! At least there was pizza for all of us to eat when we got back to my apt!!!

Rehab: No or Yes?

Kristen is Coming!

My sister is coming home for a couple of days. I am soooo very excited to see her. I haven't seen her since Christmas, way too long. She is staying with me tonight but won't be in until about midnight. I am sure this will mean another trip to Red Star (her favorite bar and mine). I must stay away from the red wine! Ouch, I still hurt. Mom is cooking for us tomorrow and she promised to cook enough for us to take leftovers home...yippy! Although, we are not meeting until 4 at her house and I have to be home in time to watch the SAG Awards, everyone will have to eat fast or I will have to convince my dad to let me watch on their TV. I love award shows! This writers strike must end so we can have the Oscars this year.
Oh, and the VW logo is for Kristen, she bought one this week.

Wine Hangover

I was able to escape the rain and the cold with the warmth of red star and red wine! Too much apparently. I must have had like five glasses and feel like absolute crap today. To make matters worse I had to go into the office this morning to work on a spreadsheet, the worst possible thing I could imagine having to do today. I want to just lie on the couch and watch E True Hollywood Stories all day.

Plan B

No one would have ever guessed I have spent most of my adult working career as an event planner because as I was anxiously researching and planning my weekend of downtown fun, I never thought about checking a weather forecast! 40 degrees and rainy and all of my planned events are outdoors...GREAT! I am most disappointed about having to call my mom and cancel our plans for the Mardi Gras Mambo race tomorrow morning. It is again going to be cold and raining...big boo! As for tomorrow night's festivities...have to wait and see if the weather clears up. But when all else fails...
there is always RED STAR!

I am Your Weekend Event Planner

Today is Friday and it seemed like a really fast week to me...you? Time to start planning for the weekend. There is an outside chance I will be going to NOLA tonight with Chris to visit his sister, Lauren, at her brand new job. She went to Bartender School in NOLA and landed a gig at The Roosevelt Hotel Bar (I think that is just a name, not really a hotel). I am so very excited for her because if all things work out she can quit TC Bizzle (as she calls it) which is TCBY.

If we decide to stay in BR, there are lots of cool things going on this weekend and all of them are in my neighborhood...

Mardi Gras Mambo 10K and 1 Mile Fun Run is tomorrow morning. 8:30 for walkers and 9:00 for runners.

Mardi Gras Mambo is followed up by a 2:00pm parade downtown

Looks like Ronald McDonald might even show up.

Followed by Krewe of Orion parade at 6:30pm...

Then my personal favorite...Krewe of Mutts! Dog parade, how great is that!

I can't have a dog where I live...I may need to call my mom and see if I can borrow her eight week old boxer pup. Or see if Holly and Vic will loan me Hank. Or better yet see if Holly and Vic want to go.

I will review any and all events I may attend this weekend and post over the weekend or on Monday for all.

yuk

could it get any nastier outside??? so cold and rainy! i want my bed now!!!

Eat, Pray, Love

I am excited about my third read for 2008! I have been wanting to read this book for a while. It seemed for several months there were constantly little pokes at me by this book. It started one day when I was somewhere with a TV and no control over it (I think a waiting room somewhere). Oprah was on (I NEVER WATCH OPRAH) and her guest that day was Elizabeth Gilbert. Something about her and the book intrigued me. I remember thinking I wanted to remember the name of the book so I could buy it the next time I was out shopping. Fast forward about a month and I am in New York for my cousin Caroline's wedding. My Aunt Missy is telling me at the bridesmaid's luncheon how she was almost late because she could not put down this book she was reading..."Eat, Pray, Love". She went on and on about how wonderful the story was. She was sure she would finish the book that night in her hotel room and promised to leave it with me. Well the weekend got away from all of us (the wedding weekend was incredibly fun) and she went back to North Carolina with the book. Between then and Christmas I twice encountered someone reading the book. I decided to buy a copy for my mom for Christmas. Her first day of reading and almost halfway through the book she calls to tell me how great it is and promises to give me her copy when she is done. Fast forward to the next weekend which takes her to NOLA to decorate my sister's apartment (she really needed some help - sorry Kristen) and she loans her copy to Kristen! So I decided to buy my very own copy of "Eat, Pray, Love" and am so looking forward to enjoying every page of it. I will gladly loan to anyone when I am finished!

willie

Natalie posed the questions...

So what was your first concert? And what songs would you have on your Ultimate 80's Mix?



After my parents divorced (I was 5), we temporarily moved in with my grandmother. My mom's youngest brother was still young enough to be living at home. Kristen and I would make a game out of putting on his cowboy hat and cowboy boots and playing Willie Nelson's "Mamas don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys", on vinyl of course, and dance around my uncle's room. I became semi-obsessed with the song. For my sixth birthday, which I share with Willie, my mom bought me concert tickets to see him at the "Plex". It is still one of my favorite concerts to date! I have since seen him four times and in my most recent trip to NOLA after Christmas saw he was playing The House of Blues the night we were returning to BR...boo!

As for musts on the '80's mix...
PYT, Michael Jackson
Jesse's Girl, Rick Springfield
something by INXS...too many good ones to choose
Centerfold, J. Geils Band
Africa, Toto
Hungry Like the Wolfe, Duran Duran
Take Me Home Tonight, Eddie Money
The One I Love, R.E.M.
Luka, Suzanne Vega

New Office Space...Yikes!

Ok, so here is how my insane day has gone thus far...we officially moved our office yesterday afternoon to the newly renovated Arkel Sugar building that sits about 20 yards behind my old Arkel building. Should have been easy enough...WRONG! All of our "stuff" was moved yesterday. I am semi-excited to arrive at work this morning to unpack all of my files and work garbage in and on my brand new enormous desk. I have a to-do list almost three composition notebook pages long and have had enough coffee to get me going. I put my laptop bag down and pulled out my agenda and my cell phone range...I was needed to go to the Corporate Blvd. location because there was a lady from the State Dept of Labor there to audit us. Well as it turns out, the manager we just fired from that store thought it would not be important to have any employees files or even have them complete standard new-hire paperwork! Additionally, he hired a 15yr old and several 16 yr olds which had all had several time clock violations within the past two weeks! Lovely! Since this was her first visit to our store, she kindly posted state labor laws in every corner she could find in the back of the house, wrote up a warning for the store and told us she would return in a week to follow-up. When she comes to visit next week, she will check to see if all problems have been corrected, see if there are any new problems and if there are either she will fine us $500 per occurrence and retroactively fine us for all of the offenses from today. That is like a lot of money...OMG! After dealing with that and sending the emails to all other managers warning their employees files/ paperwork must be in line in the event they would be audited by myself or the very nice lady from the state, I must rush back to the office for a 2:30 conference call to correct the final hick-ups in the new Halo system we installed in our Corporate store. It is working great, I was stressed for nothing! I am 10 minutes late for the call because I am behind every Baton Rouge citizen who believes it is a law to drive 10-20 miles under the speed limit if there is a drop of rain on the car. Following the call, I return to my office to "settle in" and begin tackling my mile-long to-do list. I immediately power on my laptop and attempt to connect to the Internet so I can reply to the emails I received while on the road and the enormous new office furniture was strategically placed in front of every power outlet in the room and the only Internet connection is clear across the room and my cable is about 6 inches in length. I then pick up my telephone to call reception so she can find IT and send them my way...and the phone doesn't work. Now it is almost 6:00 and I have completed 2 items on my list and those were done via cell from the car earlier. I want to scream!
I think I will start fresh tomorrow when I have a new outlook on my job...hopefully a sunny one!

Tonight's TV

I can't wait to watch this. Seems silly, but I will tune in. It is premiering right after American Idol tonight. I watched AI for the first time this season last night, Simon makes me laugh. His sarcastic comments and absurd facial expressions which scream disapproval are the only reason I continue to watch this show after what like eight seasons now?!? I only watch through the auditions though... :(

It seems kind of random that I have shows picked out to watch tonight. Usually the only "regular" TV-watching day for me is Sunday. I find myself coming home, working out, then watching TV and reading every night now instead of going straight from gym or work to Red Star until about 11 or 12...

Last night's TV = Season finale of The Real Housewives of Orange County with Laurie's ridiculous over-the-top wedding. But aren't we all relieved she found love and married for love? I promise it has nothing to do with George's net worth being in the multi-billions.


That was followed by Millionaire Matchmaker, awful show...will not be on the regular TV watching list.

The matchmaker girl, Patty, drives me batty...and why is she single if she is third generation matchmaker and the "best" in the industry? Also, I did not know matchmaking was such a competitive industry! Do they offer this curriculum at LSU yet?

This is Patty counseling one of her millionaires. I sure hope she can match him!

Go to BRAVOTV.COM for more and Patty's Bio!

Return to the Workout Plan

Yesterday was my first trip back to the gym since being sick last week. I went much earlier than usual (5:00pm) and to my surprise they gym was not that crowded. I remembered after walking in that yesterday was a state holiday so downtown was somewhat of a ghost town. I have always just used the gym for cardio, but decided to let Chris navigate me through a few ab exercises and ab weight training after my cardio. I have a very "clingy" bridesmaid's dress to wear mid-May so if anyone has a good ab workout, I need some help!

Year of the Dog

I watched this movie last night. I liked that her dog's name was Pencil!

Thanks Natalie!

I was so busy organizing and cleaning my office I did not realize that VH1 was airing a :30 special on Brit Brit titled "Britney's Shocking Moments '07". I am pretty sure they could turn this into an annual event for us to look forward to kind of like the Oscars or the Superbowl where you have parties to watch. Midway through the show I thought to myself...damn I wish I were taking notes on this shit...I knew there would be so many blog worthy points. Here are my favorites:
1. TWO 1-day rehab visits
2. THREE peeps into the Britney no one wants to see
3. Shaving her head
4. Beating the car with the umbrella
5. Taking her dress off at the beach and swimming with the photogs
6. Wearing her pants as a scarf in a Vegas nightclub (nice fishnets though)
7. Stripping at a NYC strip club and posing for pics where we can all enjoy her tramp stamp
8. Calling the photogs to follow her to deliver hate mail to her mother (who is sitting on the steps of a mobile home - I think that is where the whole fam should be)
9. Driving with her child in her lap
10. Telling a photog he should be on weight watchers
11. Another Rehab visit - this one lasted 27 days (isn't that one day shy of the norm 28 days?)
12. The infamous comeback performance on the VMA's - wtf was that?

I guess this special was produced/ edited previous to the past two weeks of drama-filled Brit news we got to experience! The ambulance (see pic) and her drive to court so she could choose not to walk in (the car ride was covered like the OJ chase back in '94) and then her visit to the church with her new photog bf in the white lace dress which left everyone asking...Did Brit Pit get married? Oh, and how could I forget her trip to Rite-Aid to shop for pregnancy tests! Please lets not let her reproduce again. These would have been great additions to the VH1 special! Anyway, as usual Britney always gives us something good to watch and talk about...looking forward to the '08 special, I am sure it will be a doozie! Nice job VH1!

Love Her Voice

This is my current fav song. The clapping clown children are so cute. I put my clown phobia aside for this one.

Yummy

I am making my most favorite meal today! Red Beans & Rice with cornbread of course!

Two great football games on today too.

Office Cleaning Status = Third weekend of de-clutter & cleaning. Much progress made this weekend. I may be able to move my desk over by next weekend!

Funniest Story

So I have to set this one up for all of you...
Last night Collin came over so we could walk over to the grand Mardi Gras display that was the Krewe of Jupiter...pretty awful. We did not stay long because a. it was like ten degrees outside and b. Collin's dog Leo had apparently never been exposed to a bass drum so when the first marching band rounded the corner all 100ish pounds of Leo drag Collin back in the direction of my house. I walked over to give all of my beads to the genderless child (I say this because the kid was so bundled up I could not tell if it were a he or a she) and we walked back to my apartment. We opened a bottle of wine we got for Christmas and drank as we eagerly awaited Red Star's 8:00pm opening. Collin goes on to tell the following story...
The LSU Small Business Incubator is a service to assist people with business ideas in starting their company. MBA students can work/ volunteer for this program. A former MBA student was asked about the strangest idea he remembered while working there. He said this was before his time at the Incubator but was the most legendary of all who had come through. K.G. Robichaux approached LSU many years ago about the "Solution to America's Metric Conversion"...his answer..."The Robie"!

This is the text of the email that was forwarded to me which I also found funny...


For those of you still interested in the current efforts to solve
America's metric conversion crisis, I proudly present to you: The
Robie Standard Conversion Table(c)(R).


Some of my personal favorite points of interest:
1. "The Robie (which please notice he trademarked the name) will one day rule the world".
2. Goodies Headache Powder = $4.92 Robie
3. 1 Robie = 100% Pure
4. Robiespoon
5. Robie Shot

So just in case anyone is confused by our newly adopted system, let me break it down for you...
You could go out and buy a car, which you would pay for in "Robies", they will tell you it gets X "Robies" (formerly miles) to the X "Robie" (formerly gallons), and they will tell you how roomy your new car is in "Robies" (formerly cubic feet). Oh and for anyone in the jewelry market, he has you covered too...the "Robie" has replaced the Karat!

PLEASE CLICK ON THE PICTURE SO YOU CAN SEE IT FULL SCALE, YOU WILL PISS YOURSELF LAUGHING!

Hee Hee...this guy makes me laugh

I am addicted to Sharpies...

I have always loved to write in color versus the boring black and blue ink that so many prefer, but lately I think I have a Sharpie buying problem. I go to Office Depot (Sharpie Heaven) about twice a month for supplies for all of our stores. Every time I am there I buy more Sharpies, even the black ones! My laptop case/ work organizer bag that I carry to and from work daily fell over recently on the floor of the office I currently share with my boss and one million Sharpies come rolling out. I am sure his thoughts were...
1. Why the hell does she have so many sharpies?
2. Did she buy all of those Sharpies with the company Office Depot card?
3. I must have Sharpie expenses deducted from Jennifer's next pay check!
I thought of this random addiction when I sat down to write a letter to my friend Jessica and searched for a colored sharpie and all I can find is black! Now I have to postpone the letter writing until I get a colored one from my work bag on Monday. I cannot believe I did not think to buy a back-up stash of colored ones for home. Geez!

Does anyone know of a support group for Sharpie addicts?

Oh, and I just remembered, the Papermate Flair is great too, they come in many colors...yay!

Steve Jobs = My Hero!

Clean Apartment

I have finally finished cleaning my apartment! Why is it that I am obsessed with the cleanlieness of my bathtub? I have cleaned the damn thing three times today and am still unsatified. I did not think I would feel up to cleaning today but the chore list is complete! I am planning to walk over to watch the Krewe of Jupiter paprade in a bit. My friend Boyd told me it is going to be in the 20's tonight! Must wear scarf, hat and earmuffs (is that one word?). Off to spend some time in that dreadful Dave Ramsey Financial planning book...half-way through! Mom, aren't you proud of me?

Natalie's Quiz...

1. Do you like cheese? I heart Cheese
2. Have you ever been to the Rockies? Yes
3. Do you own a gun? Hell No! That would be quite scary.
4. Your favorite song? Right now I like "The Way I am", Ingrid Michaelson
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? sure, when I can build up the courage to even go.
6. What do you think of when you eat hot dogs? I don't eat freakin' hot dogs...yuk!
7. What's your favorite Christmas song? Mele Kalikimaka
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? An entire pot of coffee.
9. Can you do push-ups? Um, girlie ones, not too many boy ones.
10. Is your bathroom clean? So so
11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My Mf. ring - first present from Chris.
12. Favorite Hobby? reading, i guess
13. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex? I don't think I have any secret weapon
14. Do you have A.D.D? Nope.
15. What one trait do you hate about yourself? I can be painfully shy (might be a shock to some).
16. Middle Name? Elizabeth
17. Name your thoughts at this exact moment? I hate this question.
18. Name the last 3 things you have bought? A Happy Hooligan for my new co-worker Dan, a Caesar Salad and a btl of Wine at Bonefish Grill.
19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Water, Diet Coke, Michelob Ultra.
20. Current worry right now? What a terribly long couple of weeks at work I have coming up.
23. How did you ring in the NEW YEAR? I had a wedding and reception to go to...skated out at about 10:30 and wandered over to Red Star to celebrate with friends (Erik included!!! - Yay!).
24. Where would you like to go someday? Spain and Italy.
25. Name three people who will complete this and return? No clue.
26. How many siblings do you have? 2 sisters, Kelly & Kristen
28. What shirt are you wearing? Short-sleeved white tee.
29. What shampoo do you use? Loreal Vive Pro (for really messed up hair!...lol).
30. Favorite color? Duh! PINK.
31. Would you like to be a pirate? Never thought about it, I guess. I make a really good pirate noise.
32. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't.
33. Favorite girl's name? Lela, that name makes me smile.
34. Favorite boy's name? Connor.
35. What's in your pockets right now? PJ pants don't have pockets.
36. Last thing that made you laugh? Watching Chris sort his laundry (four months worth...quite a task he has ahead of him).
37. Best bed sheets as a Kid? Strawberry Shortcake or Holly Hobby. Its a toss up. Although my mom went way overboard with Holly Hobby, she tacked sheets to my wall to look like wall paper...yikes.
38. Worst injury you've ever had? A puncture wound in my thigh, I was attempting to hurdle the picket fence in our front yard when I was younger.
39. Are you addicted to anything? Cigs and apparently Sharpies!
40. How many TVs do you have in your house? Two.
41. Who is your loudest (most outspoken) friend? Collin Richie
42. Who is your most silent friend? Chris probably
43. Does someone have a crush on you? Don't think so.
44. Do you wish on shooting stars? Nope.
45. What is your favorite book? The Fountainhead, Ayn Rand. It is a masterpiece.
46. What is your favorite candy? Skittles (the red and green ones, I have no use for the other colors).
47. What song was played at your wedding? I am blocking that out!
48. What song do you want played at your funeral? I don't like that question.
49. What were you doing 12am this morning? Having Happy Hooligans at Happy's with Chris, Carell and Dan.
50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? I hope I don't get called in to work today!

Congrats Joe, Celeste & Sam!

Elizabeth Grace Goodwin is here! Yay! Family is doing great. Sam has a baby sista. I will post a photo of her as soon as I have one! Celeste = not too on top of the emailing photos thing...

Still at home

So I am a little better today. Not well enough to return to the working world or expose the rest of BR to my germs. I have now been in my apartment for 41 hours. I am forced to watch TV because the only book I have here that I haven't completed is The Total Money Makeover, not the kind of book you want to read while sick (it is kind of like a text book). I have watched investigative reports on serial killers, a fresh prince marathon or two, John Q, Dora the Explorer and four episodes of Law and Order. Law and Order is a good show and I catch it every now and then. I was never the "can't miss an episode" fan that some of my addicts, I mean friends, were. Just made the connection that Big from Sex and the City was on L & O for a while. In watching the opening credits at 3 AM this morning I noticed his name is Chris Noth, I always thought it was Chris North...anyway, maybe I have too much medicine in my system. Cant type anymore...

Yuk!

I am sick as a dog! Even though I am no Doctor, I think I have the flu. I feel all of the normal cold symptoms plus like I have been beaten with a baseball bat. Boo! I want it to go away. And...all of my peeps are going to Duvics tonight, so sad I can't make it! Have fun guys.

Thanks Mom

Total Money Makeover! My Mom has been preaching about this book for several years and Kristen and I are both the proud new owners of our own copies...thanks Mom for what you called "the best Christmas present I can give you".

Poor Brit Pit!

What the heck is wrong with her??? I read the Commissioner in her custoday case thinks Britney may suffer from a mental illness...no shit?

Inauguration Day

What a beautiful day for Innauguration! Even in the sun it was a bit chilly but it was awesome outside. I was able to sneak away from work for a couple of hours in order to walk over to the capitol to watch the swearing in of all of our newly elected officials. Despite their choosing a Louisiana-born sportscaster to be the Master of Ceremonies (yuk! He thought he was on CBS calling a game the entire time!), it was a great program. Following the program there was a fly-over by four F-16's which was a little anit-climactic (sp?), but it rocked our neighborhood! I was glad to have the opportunity to witness...with Chris!

Another Work Week

Where did the weekend go? So little time to get everything done. I did not manage to get my two big chores for this weekend done...laundry and grocery shopping. Will have to do both after work tonight...damn! I am hoping to skate out of work early enough to make it to part of the inaugural ceremonies downtown today.

VH1 Day

I am so glad it is Sunday = Cave Day = Don't leave the house and watch the trashiest TV eva! Today/ tonight VH1 has some pretty good stuff lined up! Is anyone else excited about this???

Saturday!

Despite having to work for a few hours this morning, Saturday has been pretty lazy. I finished reading "Summer at Tiffany"...it was a nice read. Chris and I went for a jog downtown since it was such a nice day. They are setting up for Monday's Inauguration Ceremony down the street. TV trucks line the streets, one million imported tiny trees and vendors for refreshments. I may skip out of work Monday to watch the festivities...I hear that is a holiday for some (those lucky enough to work for the state...oh wait, that is not lucky, more like a prison sentence!), I may make it one for me. Cousin Will may drive downtown tonight to hang out with me...anxiously awaiting his call.

Game Day Success

Each week I am emailed store rankings for Papa Murphy's by our corporate office. Often we have stores in the top ten. Following Monday's success for all of our stores, yesterday's rankings were the best yet! Our stores were 1, 2, 3, 6, & 7. I was hoping for all five stores to take the five top positions, but I guess 5 in the top 7 will do!

TGIF if that means anything anymore...

Hopefully today will see a successful installation of the new POS system in our test store. I will train employees through Monday and launch on Tuesday...keeping fingers crossed that all goes well! I hope to make it off in time to attend Lollapalooza, a benefit for the Baton Rouge Art's Council. My friend Claire is the Chair on the event, should be a good time!

Charlie Wilson's War

Arkel has rented a screen at Citi Place this afternoon to screen Charlie Wilson' War for clients and friends of the company. There will be a guest speaker and presentation before the film. This movie is not on my "must see" list, but I am excited to go. I just hope I am finished with my Halo Hell of programming in time to make the 4:00pm showing. I missed Lisa's Sushi Bday dinner last night...damn! Happy Birthday Lisa!!! I will make it up to you this weekend with a drink, I hope. Off to the daily grind...

Books I am Reading

I have started a list on my blog of books I am reading in '08...to encourage me to put down Vanity Fair, 225 or whatever other nonsense I am reading on a daily basis! My sister, Kelly, sent me "Breakfast at Tiffany" for Christmas so it will be the first book of this year. I am only about 40 pages in but will blog if it is a must read for anyone.

Fun Fun Fun

We are testing a new POS system in one of stores starting next Tuesday. I have had numerous conference training calls and am spending the next two days finishing the customization of the system to fit our specific needs. If anyone has any experience with this devil program or just wants to come hang out with me in my office while I slave away...please feel free!

Champions!

I had the most intense day at work since taking this new job. We expected to be busy, but wow!...our stores were crazy. I feel like someone physically beat me. It is tough making pizzas for 10 straight hours...lol. I was able to finally leave our store on Highland when we slowed to a normal pace about 7:15 then had to rush to Julie's to pick up my bridesmaids dress (she did a great job, it is the most "normal" one I have had to wear yet!), then over to Collin and Sarah's to walk Leo since they were at the game and then finally home to watch quarters 2, 3 & 4. What a game! That was an exciting win for LSU. Does anyone else have a problem with a player winning Defensive MVP when he was academically ineligible the ENTIRE season? That was crap ( I know he had a good game, but come on...he was suspended for 12 regular season games because he had "off the field" problems). It made me sad for Glen Dorsey!