Cause Every Time I Hear That Song...

Music... who doesn't love it? No matter what is going on in your life, there is a song you can relate to; a song that hits you at your core. You may hear one particular song a million and one times, and then that million and two time, it takes on a whole new significance. That's one of the many things I love about music. Probably my favorite thing about music is the fact that certain songs take you back to a specific place in time. When you hear that song, you are lifted to a different place. It's a great feeling, unless of course you associate that song with a bad experience. Anyway, I had the ole iPod on shuffle (like always), and I was listening to all of these old songs and being transported throughout the timeline of my life. I decided to share some of these little nuggets of joy with you... maybe you were there... or maybe they take you somewhere else...

*There's Your Trouble by the Dixie Chicks: Wal-Mart parking lot near Carson Newman, before a week of Centrifuge
*Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler: Nashville '06. Courtenay Nixon. nuff said.
*Glamorous by Fergie: Club Vela in Panama City Beach
*Suga Suga by Baby Bash: Riding around in JJ the Tempo wih Kerrie DeSanctis in high school
*I'm a Thug by Trick Daddy: Field Hockey in the stadium with Emily Deinlein while rocking our kilts
*Man in the Mirror: driving to Nashville after a D-Now with Jeremy Wicker
*Over My Head (Cable Car): Belmont University. Opening night.
*What'd I Say by Ray Charles: Karaoke with a sketchy old man
*Teenage Dirtbag by Wheatus: hanging out at the Martin house back in the summer of like '00
*Low by Flo Rida: Cruise '08... dancing on the deck with the Red Hat Ladies
*Hey Ya by Outkast and Toxic by Britney Spears: dance parties in Holly and Sarah Kate's dormroom freshman year
*New Soul by Yael Naim: riding in the hot box from SC to MD with Carolyn
*Hero by Enrique Iglesias: Andy Reuter dressed as Santa Clause sitting on AJ's lap, serenading her
*Psalm 145 by Shane & Shane: staff worship in the basement of the Clubhouse of Bruin Hills... MFuge '06
*Burn by Usher: Amy Martin... all you need
*Must Be Doing Something Right by Billy Currington: Amy Martin...
*If I Could Do it Again by Corey Smith: Senior Year Spring Break... Destin, FL
*The Boy is Mine by Brandy and Monica: Mary-Blake and I taking on the role of Brandy and Monica and having a duel with song... as Katy watched
*Miami by Will Smith: singing along with DJ, because he's the only other person I know of that knows all the lyrics!
*Ms. New Booty by Bubba Sparxxx: Candice Murphy (Gilliand) dancing by my car in the parking lot of the hotel in Kinsport, TN
*Get Low by Ying Yang Twins: Rootbeer Keg parties at the Shire... that's how we roll at Samford U!
*Single Ladies by Beyonce: dancing with Leslie Metcalf... Beyonce's got nothin' on us!
*Jump, Jump by Kriss Kross: jumping on my brother's waterbed (with the He-Man sheets), beacuse we were rockin' out to his Kriss Kross cassette tape.
*Stay by Lisa Loeb: driving to Burger King late at night in Greenville with Carolyn
*Any song by Andy Davis: Jacob Werkin serenading me with his guitar! lol
*Say by John Mayer: good times with Bernard Dafney and Stephen Edwards... they are the real-life Bucketlist

Obviously, I could go on for days and days. If there are any key songs/memories I have left out, please feel free to add. Then, go out and enjoy some music... cause I said so!

Daddy's Little Girl, Momma's Little Angel...

Okay, so I'm gonna flip the script and get all sentimental today. Last night, I had my last basketball practice of the season with my fifth and sixth grade girls. They're absolutely precious... great kids! Anyway, the second half of practice, they were allowed to scrimmage their parents. I honestly didn't expect there to be much parent participation, given that most dads were still wearing their work attire and others were situated in their seat with their favorite technological device at hand. However, much to my surprise, every dad jumped at the opportunity! The next 20 minutes were fantastic... I don't think I have ever smiled so big, or laughed so hard in a long time! Girls were jumping on their dads, grabbing onto their ankles, and anything they could do to try to get an advantage. The dads would just swing their kid around with one arm, and catch and shoot the ball with their other arm. It was chaos; but in the midst of it all, everyone was so happy! I guess this really shouldn't have hit me like it did, but I think that these are moments that are far too rare. I mean, I'm not a parent or anything, but so often I see kids that are just starved for attention from their busy mom and dad. Just a little time throwing the basketball around is all they could ever want! Definitely makes me grateful that my dad always went out of his way to show up to every basketball, lacrosse, and field hockey game in high school. I'm pretty sure watching a field hockey game isn't on anyone's list of fun! Afterward, mom was always waiting at home with dinner to make sure I got a shower, ate, and got right to work on my homework. Anyway, this post was completely pointless... surprise, surprise! But, it was just so heart-warming to see what I saw at practice! I'm so glad there are great parents out there!

It Was Just My Imagination... Running Away With Me...

Okay, so I feel that it is necessary to clarify some things... okay, just one thing! My last post is not historically accurate... Yes, Starbucks did get robbed while I was working, the cops fought the man, a taser was used, and a foot race did follow. However, the other details concerning my role and the role of the other Starbucks folk were completely made up. We decided our version was more exciting. I didn't realize that so many people would take it as fact. The masses of text messages, phone calls, and facebook messages have made it clear to me that many people think I was actually tased and that I beat up a crook. While I wish it were true, I was merely a bystander throughout the action sequence. Just wanted to let everyone know that I am doing just fine! The idiot was caught and three different states are waiting to have a crack at him. Starbucks is functioning as normal, so you may continue to order your lattes. But, don't forget to tip your baristas... after all, some punk made off with all our tips (minus the $.35 he dropped in the fight)!

Go On, Take the Money and Run...

This post is for my fellow Starbucks baristas that were not working on the evening of February 17, 2009. You may have heard rumors about what went down at our lovely place of employment, but I am here to tell you that they are just rumors! Josh, John, Lisette and I would like to clarify the events of the evening. Yes, a man did steal a bunch of stuff and try to return it for cash... as well as jack our hard-earned tips; however, let me tell you what the cops won't. Realizing that this what the man that has been stealing from all the Starbucks in the district, John went to the office to call the cops. Meanwhile, the rest of us stalled the suspect with our impeccable acting skills. When the cops pulled up, the man tried to bolt. Without hesitation, Josh jumped over the bar and tackled the guy to the ground. Then, I came to the rescue and proceeded to give this punk the whoopin' of his life! The cops, wanting to feel like they had taken part in the subduing of the suspect, decided to tase the man. Of course, they missed. One beam hit Josh, the other hit me. Since we were tangled in a tussle, the circuit was completed and both Josh and I were debilitated. Obviously, at this point, the man was able to get up and and make a break for it! The cops were unable to catch him, and the man got away. Later on, he was spotted at the Shell station by another officer. That officer was able to catch the crook, due to the fact that the crook was barely able to walk from the beating I had dished him earlier. While all of this happened, Lissette was able to cover register, bar, drive-thru, and handle the influx of phone calls. John, being the great shift supervisor he is, saw in the security camera that Josh and I clearly had things under control (until the cops showed up), so he decided to stay in the back and work on pre-close, so that we could be as efficient as possible! Lissette, you deserve a promotion! John, you deserve a raise! Josh, we deserve a cash reward and a phone call from ole Howard Schultz himself! As for the rest of you baristas, be honored to work with such Legends... know that you are always safe with us around! Side note- we were able to find $.35 of our stolen tips on the sidewalk. That Joker apparently lost the change in the scuffle. So no worries, we got a large chunk of the tips back!

Good Morning, Baltimore...

When you hear "Baltimore," what is the first thing that comes to mind? Maybe crime? violence? "The Wire?" Well, there is a whole lot more to this wonderful place! Allow me to enlighten you!
Cal Ripken. The Iron Man. He's a Baseball Legend and we are more than proud to claim him!
Babe Ruth... another Baseball great! You may not know him as an Oriole, but Baltimore was most definitely his home.Back in the day, before Peyton Manning, the Colts resided in the great city of Baltimore. Indianapolis likes to talk about their past quarterback, Johnny Unitas, but when he wore the jersey, it didn't say Indianapolis!

We also know how to play basketball. Nike has a clever little Carmelo Anthony advertisement slogan- "Be-More." Hmmm? Any connection to Baltimore... I think so!
Quoth the Raven, nevermore. A great poet... a little crazy... but a great poet. And our football team was named because of ole Edgar Allan Poe.Not enough can be said about this woman. Harriet Tubman is a name for the history books! We are more than honored to claim this lady as a Baltimorean.

We also kick butt in medicine... thanks to the #1 hospital in the nation- Johns Hopkins University.

Hairspray, the musical, comes to life at HonFest. I'm ashamed to admit that I have never made it to this glorious event... but it will happen!
Steamed blue crabs... mmmmmmmm.... If you haven't tasted these little jewels, you haven't lived!

The Natty Boh song... "National Beer,National Beer.You'll love the taste of National Beer. And while I'm singing, I'm proud to say, It's brewed on the shores of Chesapeake Bay!"

If you need a paternity test or want to talk to the spirit of your dead dog, we can do that for you as well! Thank you, Montel Williams... graduate of Andover high school... Class President... nicknamed "Tiny Hiny"
You know you love this guy! "Oh, baby, you... you got what I need. But you say I'm just a friend. You say I'm just a friend." And Mario also did pretty stinkin' well on "Dancing With The Stars."

Yes, World, you can thank us for the "Thong Song." Sisqo, formerly of the group Dru Hill (from Druid Hill Park in Baltimore), brought this little dance number that dominated the phone lines at TRL.

Finally, his legal troubles are over. Once again, we can be proud of this Baltimore native. Mr. Phelps, you are remarkable! Ladies, I will leave this photo at a slightly larger size for ya!

In conclusion, hon, I am proud to be a Balti-moron!

Got Some Dirt on my Shoulder, Could You Brush it Off for Me?

What is your most embarrassing moment? That's a question you've probably been asked a lot in your life. So, why do I bring this up? Well, today I was thinking about the fact that every time someone asks me that question, I instantly go back to kindergarten... kindergarten??? Really??? Who has a single worry or care at that age? I mean, I thought all kindergartners were busy licking their paste and drinking Kool-Aid... at least that's what I was doing. Anyway, one day (back in the Mrs. Long's class), I was waiting in the "car-rider" line after the bus-riders had been dismissed. We were standing up, and I was staring off into space like I do so often. Mrs. Long told us to be seated, but due to my mental absence, I didn't hear her. The boy behind me, Jason (yes, I still remember his name), didn't want me to get into trouble. So, he gave my shorts a little tug to alert me. Well, I guess he tugged a little too hard, cause my shorts fell to my ankles! As all the other little, punk, kindergarten boys laughed, I just wanted to cry... and I was a super sensitive kid. I was pretty sure I'd never be able to face my class again... and I was all of like 4 years old! It wasn't until quite a few years later that I was able to look back at that and laugh... I know, I'm a nerd! All that to say, when something humiliating happens, we have to just laugh and brush it off like it ain't no thang! So, here is my attempt to look back at past humiliations and laugh... Enjoy!

A few years ago, I had a repeat of the kindergarten incident. I was in the packed lobby of my church before a wedding, talking to my mom and another lady. All of a sudden, I felt a breeze! Who's dress pants just fall to the ground?!?! I mean, come on!! It was definitely embarrassed! Apparently I have issues with pants! Unfortunately, I wasn't four years old this time... try about twenty years old! I'm just now getting to a point where I can laugh about that one...

This past summer, at "drama camp," Bernard, Tyler and I decided to go to CVS. We piled into my car, got out "Pinocchio," my GPS, and entered CVS as our destination. The GPS said, "Go left," so we went left. Then, it immediately said, "arriving at destination."Yes, we had driven, and used a GPS, to get across the street...! At least I wasn't the only one that could be blamed.

In high school, I once shot at the wrong basket during a basketball game... thankfully, people started yelling at me when I went to shoot, so I jerked my hand and missed.

In middle school, I was playing basketball with some friends in a church parking lot. There was a chain that draped across the sidewalk behind the basket. For some reason, I decided to jump over the chain to retrieve the ball. Well, I have absolutely no vertical! I got tripped up on the chain and fell flat on the asphalt. I hit SO hard that I got the wind knocked out of me... and everyone (mostly boys) was standing right there watching! Complete and total humiliation!

Summer of '07, I was on stage at Belmont University, getting ready for "Benji and Bertie." The set was set up on the wood slabs that had wheels. Well, unbeknownst t0 me, the wood slabs had been painted black to blend in with the floor. I don't need any help falling... I do it just fine on my own. But, I went to walk backstage and didn't see the wood (since it was now black) and tripped on it. I tried to catch my balance, but in doing so, i hit another slab and crashed to the floor, nearly taking "The Underground" set with me. You could hear it all over the auditorium and everyone rushed the stage to check on me. I was so embarrassed that I had to just lay there and laugh for a few moments.

Pretty much anything associated with Mega Relay in the summer of '08 was beyond embarrassing. It would take me ten hours to share all of that, but feel free to ask me for specifics... or you can ask anyone on the '08 NGU Fuge staff. I clearly have issues with standing on my own two feet. A piece of advice: no matter what anyone tells you, DO NOT do Izzy Dizzy!

Then there are those moments when you do something stupid, and it wouldn't really matter, but it gets caught on tape. Like on family vacation... I couldn't have my younger cousins show me up in Chubby Bunny! I had to represent! Little did I know, the video would be viewed by more than just those who share my genes. So, in effort to ante up & put everything on the table, enjoy:

Warning: Fat Kid Moment!

There are tons and tons of embarrassing things that have occurred in my life. I know there are incidents far worse than what I have mentioned, but I have forced them from my memory. If you have been there to experience any others, please share... I know you're not laughing at me, but with me... cause I can guarantee I'm laughing!

All Them Mocha Lattes, You Gotta Do Pilates...

Allow me to vent for a second. Working at Starbucks, I have really come to learn just how high-maintenance and demanding people have become. I mean, really!? "Oh, I'm sorry your Quad, Venti, 1/2 Caf., Soy, Extra Caramel, Upside Down, Lite Foam, Stirred, 176 degree, 6 Pump Caramel Macchiato was steamed to 177 degrees!... Let me remake it for you!... Of course you deserve a free drink coupon for the inconvenience!" Sound like a stretch... hardly! Or the lady that yelled at me because the Starbucks Corporation discontinued Melon Syrup... obviously THAT'S MY fault! And stop ordering cappuccinos, only to complain that there is too much foam... it's a CAPPUCCINO! Wow, I feel so much better now that I have gotten that off my chest! I really do have some great customers though! Having said that, I have decided I need to challenge myself. Those lovely regulars come in, and I can spout out their drink exactly, but I have NO IDEA what their name is. They're always so pleasant. I really should know them beyond "Quad Iced Venti Raspberry Mocha Guy" or "Venti Non-Fat, w/ Whip, Stirred, 6 Pump White Mocha Lady." Well, I just had a little self-reflection... While it seems everyone is so high-maintenance and demanding, I am apparently impersonal and too distracted by what I'm doing to take a second, smile, and make a friend! How hard is that?! Things are gonna start looking up...! But please, easy on the specifics... we don't give out an award for filling in all the boxes on the side of the cup!

Lets Get It Started...

So, I enjoy reading blogs. They're fun... you never know what you're gonna get; some are meaningless, humorous, serious, thought-provoking, and pretty much any other adjective you can think of. I have thought many times about doing my own, but it just seemed so cheesy... no offense! No matter where I am though, I have loved ones that want to know what I'm up to... I'm kind of a nomad and am fully aware of the fact that I'm hard to keep up with. So, I figured, why not do a blog? This could, and probably will, be a disaster... in fact, I'll probably post once a month or something and have nothing to say. But let's give it a shot! If you wanna get inside my head, here's your chance... I know, you can hardly contain your joy and excitement! Let the journey begin...

Note- all the titles of my posts will be song names or lyrics... so make it into a game!