Blogdangit

Me Time

I hope all of you are having a good Sunday afternoon. Your gurl is so nasally and stopped up. It's definitely a head-cold. I'm still hoarse, I can't smell anything, taste anything and my ears are clogged. I've been taking aspirin and drinking a variety of juices. I got out last night for a bit, and it probably didn't help the situation.

I think I'm going to get away for a few days. Bags are packed! I need complete space and time to just chill. It would be great to be in Wisconsin right about now looking out at Lake Superior or mingled in the mountains of Colorado, or in a high-rise looking out on the Atlantic Ocean.

My feeling bad and not being able to taste, eat, talk or smell is really driving me out of my wits – and being a person who doesn't like to take a bunch of meds is probably not making this any better either. I just want to chill with absolutely no phone calls, doorbells, people stopping over, etc. I need some me time.

And I'm gon' get it.

The Runway is Clear for Landing

It is a done deal! For those who have followed me through my travels for the past couple of years through this blog, it all ends today. I'm coming off the road, at least for now. I've been offered a management position in my home area. A real 7-5 where I get off and go HOME -- not to some hotel! I aint gon' know how to act! My family and friends say it's about time. J

It is tough leaving my co-workers and my boss who has supported me through this. She gave me plenty of time to make a decision. She also told me if things didn't work out, I could always come back and work out in the field. That's real. It was good hearing she sincerely appreciated me and my work and had no animosity toward me leaving. I almost teared…

This probably comes as a shock to many people who thought I would never settle down. Well oops, there it is…

I will reflect in a later blog of the many experiences I've had while traveling the country.

Thinking and Gazing

Hello all. I'm sitting here in my hotel after an adventurous workday of mind boggling situations.

I'm gazing out of my window in deep thought. No! It's not about anything bad -- not even close; but about decisions I have to make by the end of the weekend.

Have you ever been in a situation when things happened so fast, it frightens you? Things which seem like it could be the new chapter in your life, but then another part of your mind is afraid of letting go of the existence -- even when it's something you've hoped and prayed for?

Am I really ready to do this? Can one phone call be the opportunity I've longed for?

It's gon' be a long weekend.

 

Simply Stunning!

Wow, I know it's been a few days. I didn't get to the doctor as I tried for my painful knees. They couldn't see me before I started my travels back to work. I did tell my doctor what was going on and we've set up an appointment for when I return. Thanks to all of you for your comments and emails. I'll get at ya personally too.

I'm in Wisconsin with Lake Superior just outside my windowpane. I swear it is the most breathtaking view. My first reaction was that this is the ultimate writer's paradise. I threw my bags in, grabbed the camera and went out on my patio to capture several shots. I couldn't get enough. The weather wasn't too cold either; as a matter of fact, the hotel clerk told me that the day I arrived was the first warm day they've had all year. So see, I brought up a little Southern sunshine and warmth with me.

I met some cool folks last night at a restaurant. Y'all know I'm always meeting people. This one guy runs a brewery and he's a musician. How ya love that! So you know we hit it off. I also met his wife, who works at the post office here in town. They invited me to stop by the brewery for a tour. Sounds like fun! I gotta mention this: On the menu there was a soup made with beer and cheese and it's served with popcorn. They say it's a Wisconsin thing! Y'all that's some nasty stuff! They can have it. It was awful. The guy I met did tell me that he LOVES Louisiana food. I could feel that! J

Although I'm surrounded by beauty, Unfortunately, I did get sick once I arrived. My allergies went wild. My eyes were watering constantly and throat and sinuses were a pain. My eyes got to the point that they started to turn red and swell. The hotel clerk called my room some hours later knowing my allergies were acting up -- to move me to another room. She said the room I was in had recently been booked with pets, and that could be contributing to my allergies. I had not unpacked although I had everything in the room, but since I didn't have far to move, I didn't mind. I couldn't tell just by looking at the room that pets were recently in there (but how do you tell anyway?), 'cause it was a really nice room. The move put me in a bigger suite and the eyes stopped tearing. I'm still lingering on to a sinus headache, but I can deal with that.

Well that's a wrap my good folks. I'm going answer y'all comments now and get to bed. Love , Peace and all that extra hair grease!:)

See ya next post!

Enjoy the pics… These are just a few of the many shots. (Check out the zoomed-in shots of the reflections of the snow mounds as they sit on the water… If you look at the picture up top, you can see how far off in the water they were. And don't the trees in the background look like they were painted on the picture?) I'm a long way from home y'all.

 

The Road Trip

Hello all. I know it has been a few days since I've been up in here. Work has kept me busy. There's much I want to chat about, but during this post, I'll stick with the topic at hand: The road trip of Oprah and Gayle traveling across the country.

Although I wasn't able to watch the show during its normal time during the day, I did catch a few shows at 11p.m. which kept me glued every bit of the hour.

Watching Oprah and Gayle interact like 'regular' people made me feel like I've personally known them for years. They are like my friends, my family, and my neighbors who live down the street. I like the way they left out the formality of TV while presenting a realism we can all relate to. I mean come on -- Oprah driving? Oprah? They ladies were dressed in everyday casual attire. They ate in the car, argued as friends do sometimes, shopped at the malls, played bingo, visited Gra.celand, went to church, crashed weddings, got stopped by the State Trooper, and the list goes on. 

Not sure if any of you watched it, but uhm...Remember the bombed out hotel? The silent treatment at the garage sale? I still can't tell whether those people were prejudice and just didn't want to take on the whole crew or were totally clueless of who they were. I mean you don't get Oprah stopping by your garage sale everyday unannounced.

Oprah was even called a b.itc.h at the mall while shopping for the weddings they later crashed because she didn't personally acknowledge this one woman. The ladies were rushed and didn't have time to mingle. Oprah almost let her true roots out after realizing what the woman had called her. But kudos to her, she let it go. How come some people don't get it?!   

The most touching experience which definitely leaves a mark with me is their visit with the Amish family. They family welcomed Oprah and her entourage with open arms with the exception of limited and sometimes no cameras revealing their faces. They sat outside as Oprah and Gayle chatted with them. The questions asked revealed some important life-learning lessons. The family said they were 100% content with their lifestyle. That's deep! They believe life is about enjoying each other and maintaining good morals. They feel there's too much emphasis on the rush of everyday life. They don't have the conveniences we are used to and don't need or want them. They hang their clothes outside on lines. They grow their animal and a lot of their food. Their demeanor is relaxed. They believe one should enjoy life for what it really is and not for the materialistic world we are accustomed to. The family prepared food for Oprah and Gayle which the ladies seemed to enjoy.

The girls visited a farm and met a couple of cowboys who were fionnnee and sexy. As a matter of fact, Oprah couldn't stop mentioning the fact there's something sexy about a man on a horse. I agree. Both cowboys were cuties too with the close-up view.

The trip brought on several visitations and surprises and outrageous events which are far too many to mention here in this post. I think it was good for America. It gave us a different view. It wasn't or didn't seem like just another pre-scripted reality show. It was genuine interaction and conversation un-rehearsed and without co-production. I like that!!! It was refreshing and definitely out of the box for both ladies -- at least on our end. I call it true reality. The angle was perfect. It's evident that Oprah enjoys her job and people of all walks of life. Go O.

In a Day I'm Outta Here Again

Good Afternoon all. While this day is always the day that I chill and mentally prepare to get back into my corporate work out in the field; it's always an interesting transition.

During most of my time at home (including a week vacation), I was sick with the flu and had been food poisoned just before that. But in the past few days, I've had time to enjoy the beautiful weather. I've even had time to work some in the studio, mingle with friends and enjoy family -- especially my lil' Anaiya. She's 9-months old and has grown attached to her tee.

I'm still exercising with the treadmill and whatever else I can get into. I just recently bought a Danskin Exercise Ball and a pair of green apple colored 3lb hand weights. I thought it would be another cool thing to do while in the hotel. I also plan to get back to the gym once I arrive in Chicago.

It's been since July that I've started exercising on a regular basis. It is true the body grows accustomed to the changes. It is true the stomach reduces and your appetite becomes minimal. I'm not dieting, I'm just taking it slow and being health conscious. My bad knees are hanging in there as well. Some days I have my moments, but its now a situation that's too much of a bore to talk about. I just do what I got to do.

I went out today looking for a keyboard bag for my Roland Fantom x6. I'm going to bring it with me to the Chi. I'll get some preproduction work done after work while in my hotel. I found the perfect bag at Zeagler's Music. It's lightweight and has large additional pockets for my cords, headphones and memory cards.

I stopped and had lunch at one of my favorite restaurants; Romans. I had chicken and gyro shwarma with rice with sauteed spinach. GOOD stuff!

I'm back in now marinating and preparing for my travels on tomorrow.

Here's wishing all of you a fun-filled and exciting weekend! I may get out tonight a short while and check out a potential client who will be performing at Vincent's in Baton Rouge.

Hotel Thoughts

As most of you know; because of work, I often stay in hotels. They are usually the higher grade hotels which are designed for business travel and comfort. Ironically, some of them do have their flaws as some things make you wonder.

1. Ever wonder when they clean your room, i.e. bathroom, if they are using the same towel or rag to clean other rooms too? And if so, how many rooms were cleaned before they cleaned your room?

2. Because some hotels don't ever launder the bed comforters; do you ever wonder who laid under or over them before you? And how germy they were? Whether they had a spill upon them and it dried up and since the comforter is dark, you can't tell anyway?

3. Why at most hotels, the housekeeping crew can't speak English?

4. How come you feel you need to be nice no matter what, unless you're moving, 'cause you know what they can do to your toothbrush and you'll never know it?

5. Why some hotels of the same caliber take great pride in the food they serve, and others serve you the same ole' gagging junk?

6. Why I am sitting in my hotel writing all this crap?

7. What's up with the wireless internet service having you log on and some even have you put in a password every freaking day -- instead of staying connected like the one at home?

8. This one is a biggie. ALL HOTELS need to have sliding entrance doors. Period!

9. This one is another BIGGIE! Not often, but at times, I've had to resort to using the business center at the hotels. How come they put low grade computers in these areas which are very slow and non-performing. Sometimes I peek in just to see what they have. This hotel has a CRT monitor with a Celeron Processor with 256 Mb Ram. Damn can you even run those anymore? Wouldn't you think the hotel would stay in tune with the needs of the business traveler who are most times tech savvy? Uhmmmm...

10. How come some damn fool always smokes in the non-smoking rooms, and the odor seeps over into your room, 'cause most times they are doing it in the bathroom where it leaks through the air vents?

11. How come NOBODY can't control the bad a$$ kids running through the halls all through the night?

12. Yeah I get a discounted rate with work, but uhmm when I'm staying on personal time, how come I can negotiate a rate much different from the next person who walks in without using any discount cards? How come sometimes the rates are quoted different from person to person anyway? I've watched this many times.

13. Ever wondered about the history of your towels?

14. Ever felt the need to use Lysol on the remote, the phone, the door knobs and the entire bathroom, 'cause you know they didn't?

15. Again! Why I am sitting here writing this post?

Wanna add to the list, or is this the most boring post you've ever read?

Luvs....

Gumbo Gurl Chatter

Hello everyone! I didn't come to just talk about the weather out here in South Chicago, but I will say that this is CRAZY! Dang! I know I've been in this stuff before, and yeah I know it's what they do out here in the Chi, but uhmm, I can't ever be ready for this. When that wind catches you off-guard, you are doomed. I got my coat, hat, gloves and scarf, and it's still not enough! Brrrrrrrrrrrrrzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Now for other news, work is work! Things are moving along.

I tried out the fitness equipment in my hotel and found it to be jacked up! The treadmill slips. Don't cha hate that? The bike is ancient and uncomfortable. The stair thing looks like it needs to be garbagetinized (yes i did!). I find that surprising, being that the hotel is very nice.

After work today, I stopped by a fitness center not far from my hotel. I met with one of the managers and she offered me a monthly pass for a pretty good rate. I went back to the hotel, changed and returned. There were lots of NEW cardio equipment: treadmills, ellipticals, skis, bikes, etc. They also had crazy amounts of weight-training gear. There's even tanning beds (well not for me), nice showers and loads of lockers. YES!

I was like a kid in the candy store. My body was wanting, nah, needing the workout. It's weird actually! Since I've been exercising from July 06, my body has adjusted to the change. I had a hard workout today and I felt I needed it since it had been a few days without it. I did the treadmill for 30 minutes hard and fast. I worked up a serious sweat. I then got on the ski thing which wasn't agreeing with my knees, but it felt good to my body. I was only able to do it for 15 minutes before the knees started hurting really bad. I should have known better. But I bet I lost a few calories.

Before the exercising, somewhere in there today, I bought a MP3,WMP, iPod-ready Cd player w/remote control for my car. Yep, I did! It's a Sony and it's a music lover's must-have. I found out one of my co-workers knew how to install car systems; so he and another co-worker hooked a sistah up. Chile, you can't tell me nothing now -- It's a beauty in the night time (I'm a sucker for lights and buttons) and now since I can just plug in my iPod with all 1800+ songs on it and press play -- Suwweet! (I never did fall for that FM radio connection for iPods - I heard the sound was cheesy and I can't imagine receiving clean reception from an empty radio channel.) I'm full-blown stereo now baby!

Other than that, I'm just chilling. LITERALLY! :)

Spoil Me Virginia Beach!

Ya'llz my peoples, if this weather keeps it up, I'm telling ya, I'm gon' have to move out 'chere. It's been another weekend of beautiful nice breezy-no-need-for-a-jacket weather.

I started out with my 30 on the treadmill. I did another 15 on the stationary bike. Showered and couldn't resist getting out into the beautiful weather. A co-worker mentioned there was a P.F. Chang's near the area. I went to the front desk to ask the exact location. They gave me a map which was on point. I drove down Virginia Beach Blvd. to Independence Blvd. and there it was, sitting on the corner of Central Park Ave. and Virginia Beach Blvd.

I parked in a free public parking garage and caught an elevator to the 1st floor which led me into an art gallery. I walked out of there unto Central Park Ave, which was just a few steps from P.F. Chang's. There also sat a Funny Bone's Comedy Club and Restaurant. I've got to catch a show there before I leave. I went in P.F. Chang's and the place was crowded. I told the greeter I needed a seat for one and they advised sitting at the bar since the wait time for a table was 30 minutes.

No problem for me, 'cause I like sitting at the bar. I walked up and sat between two sets of ladies on either side of me. I had my laptop with me in a little black shoulder strapped bag. I sat there in the cozy semi-lit bar and ordered a glass of Pinot Grigio and an appetizer of the barbecue ribs. I'd heard they were good starters. I usually order the lettuce wraps but wasn't feeling that today.

I pulled out my laptop as I waited for the food to arrive and started to capture the moment through my words. My ribs arrived and I ate most of them. For my entree, I ordered the Sichuan Shrimp with extra Garlic Sauce served with White Rice. This is a spicy, semi sweet dish, and has always been one of my favorite.

When my entree arrived, I put the laptop away. I ordered another glass of wine and begin to savor the meal. Actually I savored the moment. The ladies to my left, finished their meal and left. Not too much conversation there, but the ladies to my right were inquisitive on what I had ordered. They said it looked good and they wanted to try something different on the menu. Our conversation was light, but it was good.

A couple walked up and sat to my left almost exactly where the ladies who left were sitting. They both lit up cigarettes which forced me to move down another seat away from them which was vacant the whole time. The cigarettes were strong and the odor was well...cigarettes. I don't have anything against smokers, but I do have beef with your habit.

Thanks to the excellent ventilation system, it wasn't too much of a bother. Just some minutes before I finished my meal, another couple walked up and asked was anyone sitting immediately to my left in the two extra seats between the smokers and I. I told them no and they sat down next to me. The man was a tall black guy in his 40's and the lady a small black woman in her mid 30's or so.

I found out later the woman was from Panama and her middle name was Vanessa. The man was very sociable and quite handsome. He talked the whole time. He told me about some great entertainment spots in Norfolk and Virginia Beach. He asked where I was from, then he talked about his visit to Louisiana and how he loved the food.

The woman whose accent was strong was also cordial and dipped in and out of the conversation. The man seemed a happy-go-lucky type guy. He wasn't flirting or being disrespectful, he was just a sociable guy. I enjoy people like like that. I believe meeting people is the most interesting part of life. It don't have to always be something going on.

I finished only half of the shrimp and did my nice meeting you's to both parties on either side of me. The ladies sitting to my right were definitely getting their drank on. They had been in there a while. I walked out onto Central Park Avenue and crossed the street to The Cheesecake Factory. Y'allz, I've been in a few of these spots, but this building has got to be the most elegantly designed of them all. It's extraordinary. Imagine cathedral ceilings trimmed in cherrywood. The walls and ceilings were painted in beige and burgundy tones with a hint of black while contemporary paintings embedded the ceilings. Thick column poles accompanied the decor' throughout the room. Black marble sat on the bar top which was seated in front of a large window, glass-shelved with all the spirits, liquors and wines your heart desired.

I sat at the bar and ordered the Fresh Strawberry Cheesecake and a glass of Pinot Grigio. I pulled out the laptop and started writing again.

I finished the wine and cheesecake and by this time I was stuffed. I walked back to the car in the garage and drove out to the next block to a Barnes and Noble. There was a mall across the street (Pembroke Mall), and I needed to get my Bath n Body Works on, but I didn't do it.

I went inside B&N for a minute while I chatted on the phone with a friend from home. I bought one book, although I could have sat there and wrote this blog. The atmosphere was my kinda thing. But, I wanted to get back to the hotel and unwind to get back in work-mode for tomorrow.

And here I am reminiscing and reflecting on the day which again leaves me in good spirits. Can't do nothing but thank God, Right?! Gonna take a shower and get ready for bed.

Another one from the gumbo gurl with a lot of combusation.

Luvs...

P.S. Pix's were taken with my phone. Not too good, but you get the idea.

It All Ended Up On Me

Good Saturday evening everyone. This 70 degrees weather is spoiling me. I started out this morning around 10ish. I had a few work errands to run before my day was to begin. I ate lunch at Ruby Tuesday's. I had two appetizers: crab cake and spicy buffalo wings. I came back to the hotel to get my camera and then headed toward the beach. (Virginia Beach)

I got there some 10 minutes later or so, as there were people everywhere. I LOVED IT! It was spring again. The sun's out, the shops are opened, bike riders, skaters, walkers, ooh it was ON! I pulled up to the Marriott Hotel and parked. There was a sign indicating only patrons were to park on the lot. I went in and begged pretty please. They obliged, and very nicely too.

I walked toward the beach which was only steps away and ohhhhh my goodness, it was absolutely stunning. Much much different from my stay here back in December when it was quiet and lifeless.
I had the camera around my neck and my extra cartridges and batteries in my camera bag. I was ready y'all. I walked closer toward the ocean and captured some beautiful shots. I aint bragging or nuthin', I really aint! :)

The sun was out, not beaming, but noticeable. The sky was crystal blue with a very slight brush of clouds hanging in the right corners of the skies. The wind was slightly breezy and very comfortable. The sea gulls were chatting away while the waves were singing music to my ears. It was literally a  picture-perfect day. I felt like I was on vacation. Shoot, let me say that again: I felt like I was on vacation!!!!

After about 100 pictures along the beach, I walked back toward the shops on Atlantic Avenue. I browsed and shopped for an hour or so then headed back toward my car which was now a couple of miles away.

I drove onto I-264, and was thinking how nice my day went. Just a few minutes later and some minutes from my hotel, I got sharp pains in my stomach. Actually unusual pains. I began sweating and feeling like I was going to get sick. It got worst within seconds. I couldn't pull over to stop, nor did I want to. I just wanted back to the hotel. I didn't understand what was going on, other than it was all about to come up. I turned in the hotel parking lot and as much as I was trying to hold it in; it came. And it kept coming all over my shirt, my lap and legs. My throat was burning. I quickly pulled into a parking space near my room and I hurriedly opened the car door and more came unto the pavement.

There were people standing near and I was so embarrassed --  but it didn't stop me from rushing out of the car to the entrance door of the hotel (had to stop and use my key to get in) and down the hall to my room. I got in and more of everything I ate earlier spilled to the bathroom floor. I didn't even make it!

I was SICK y'all! I'm thinking what in the heck had happened to me. I looked in the mirror and it was awful. My clothes were ruined and I looked terrible.I put a cold towel to my face and kept wiping. My eyes were watery and my head was pounding. I started the clean-up process, had a long shower and threw on shorts and a tee. I went out to the car to see how much damage was there. I brought the Lysol cleaner with me too. Luckily there wasn't much in the car; a little on the dash and a few drops on the seat. I  made sure to keep the most of it on me.

I was feverish and weak and after a sinus headache all day, which was now worst, I just wanted to feel better. I drove to Wal-mart (Gosh, they really need to not have just 9 registers open out of 25 on a Saturday evening -- that's crazy!) to get some juice, soup, and sinus meds.

I got back to the hotel and started laundry. I didn't feel like it, but I had to now. My head was feeling queasy and I felt like I was going to do it again. I managed to avoid another episode and finished the laundry. Unfortunately, my shirt left a huge dim stain. The jeans looked okay.

I just finished a bowl of chicken-something soup and drank a huge cup of ice-cold-been-in-the-freezer cranberry juice. At this very moment, I'm still not feeling well. The sinus headache is better now, and I haven't taken any meds yet. Whippee!

I can't figure out what happened to me; whether it was the restaurant, something in the air, something near the water or was it the new type of multi-vitamin I started taking this morning. I haven't a clue!

What I do know is that I had a wonderful day in spite of the illness. Virginia Beach is gorgeous, and I'm glad I got a chance to experience what it really feels like when the weather is permitting.

I'm going to bed now. Love ya and u know this!

P.S. Throughout the post, I've included some shots I took today. enjoy! (the first shot is my favorite -- Look closely at the waves - click on them all to enlarge)

P.P.S. Update: I feel much better today (Sunday Jan 07). My body was rejecting something yesterday. So all is well, and it's another beautiful day. Going get on the tread mill now. See ya.