And I'm Back...

As Mark Twain said, "Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated".

Mostly I've been recovering from a three day drunk-fest, and then getting back into the normal grind of regular life. That's the part that sucks - the real life part, not the drunk fest part.

So let's see, when last I posted I had just returned from the big Gay Ho-Down and the Honky Tonk Queen contest. I did promise you a video, so here is one of the "past queens", I'm happy to report that the newly crowned queen was even better than this "gal" - which I suppose is not really a stretch.



Directly after my second round on the Ohio turnpike (which was magical) I worked for a week then set off into the annual Mackinac Race week routine. The parade, Family Night, Boat Night, and then the actual race. Scott set sail for the island and I hit the road (oh yeah, again) to pick him up. So four days, seven bruises, too many drinks to count and one good sunburn later and we're back to regular life.

Anyway - I'll get back into my groove, maybe do another NaBloPoMo ('cause that's always fun - ha!).

Current Music: Let Me Out - Ben's Brother

Rockin' Out!

All right, so my girl KimmyK didn't tag me for this, but I thought I might do it anyway. Then Katie was all "you gotta do it", so being the one to bow to peer pressure here's the music meme...

Instructions: List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they're not any good, but they must be songs you're really enjoying now, shaping your summer. Post these instructions in your blog along with your seven songs. Then tag seven other people to see what they're listening to.

I will preface this as Kimmy did, I listen to a lot of different types of music, so there's a bit of everything in here (well, I didn't put any classical in) - but no matter what they are, they're fun summer tunes that make me smile! Take any of these to the beach and you'll love them.

American Boy - Estelle Love this one, fast slow little bit of everything

Good Life - Kanye West Summer is all about the good life, right - so duh!

Here for the Party - Gretchen Wilson Alright this is a new one for me, but it really works (thanks to the reigning Honky Tonk Queen for turning me on to this one - check back tomorrow for more on the Honky Tonk Queen)

Summertime - Will Smith Yeah, again, duh (old school I know, but still good)

New Shoes - Paolo Nutini I've got to find a way to get shoes in somewhere :-)

No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problems - Kenny Chesney He can sit with no shirt or shoes with me any day!

It's Love - Chris Knox Heard this one on a Heineken commercial and loved it - took a bit to find it, but it's super!

There's a ton more that I can't live without, but these were the ones that keep popping up in my recently played list.

As you know I don't actually know seven people and two of the people that I do know have already done it, so the rest of you can consider yourself tagged if you are so inclined!

Current Music: Heartbreaker - Will.I.Am

He's Home!

Current Music: How Am I Doing? - Anna Waronker

They're In!

Ok, I just got a call from Scott (so much for call me as soon as you get in!) - they're on the island. According to the website they finally crossed the finish line around ten to three this morning! The funny thing is that Scott and JR didn't even know who came in when (with the exception of the boat that was right in front of them) or what place they took. I gave them the sad news that they didn't do very well, but at least came in ahead of Griffin! From the looks of things, many of the boats aren't even in yet (the results to date), but at least they aren't the pickle boat and they won't miss the party!

I was on-line all day and all evening watching the results. The first boat in their class came in around 5:30 pm yesterday, and they were only 3 hours behind them at the buoy - so I figured I'd see their finish time pop up any time after 8pm. I was checking until midnight, and still only 3 boats were in - so I gave up and went to bed.

I guess I can breath easy now - he's arrived in one piece and getting ready to party (grr, wish I were there) and he'll be coming home tomorrow!

Current Music: Into Your Arms - The Lemonheads

So far, so good

I got home Saturday after seeing Scott off for the race, and I didn't see my copy of Harry Potter in the mail box. I got down to the front door, still no book. I decided not to freak out, I would just sit down and have a bit of lunch and then I'd check on line - then I'd freak out! Just as I was getting on to the Amazon website I heard the pup start barking, and someone coming down the driveway. It was here!

So, after getting the box open, and getting situated to sit down for a nice long read - I began. At this point I'm about half-way through, and so far so good. It's been interesting, exciting, happy and sad. I've been talking back and forth with my BIL and good friend R - both HP fans, we keep checking up on each other, discussing the book to our respective points.

I have been taking periodic breaks to clean, allow my eyes to rest, shower and of course - check on the race! At this point, our guys haven't rounded the buoy according to the website, but apparently there are a few boats on the horizon (of course they're all the big/multi-hulled boats). The committee hasn't heard from very many boats yet, so hopefully the guys are just stuck out there with everyone else and no wind! JR is a great tactician, so maybe he'll be able to find some wind that the others won't.

Current Music: taking an HP break, and trying to clear off the tivo (again!) since I haven't been watching anything for the last 2 days - currently another episode of Good Eats (again, I know, but I've got a ton for some reason).

Boat Night!

Big party tonight! It's the night before the big Port Huron to Mackinac Race, and this is the night that everyone lets loose (though I seriously wonder how all those sailors can manage in the morning - some of them will be out till the wee hours of the night)! But this year is a bit different, we're gaining a designated driver - Scott is joining the race! J's boat is down a crew member, so Scott jumped into the breach. It's been 20 years since he's raced, but he's pretty stoked. So we'll need to make it a bit of an early evening so that Scott isn't too bleary eyed or hung-over tomorrow (though there's no reason why I can't be!).

At this point our schedule is totally booked for the day and evening. We're going to take the boat out with J & M and the kids and look at all the boats this afternoon, then we're hitting the parties around 6:30 (I know we'll be hitting the Yacht Club and the Vintage Tavern - I'm not sure what else!). It should be a bit chilly, but it will be a fun evening - looking forward to it!

My mom just called - apparently they were awakened by an earthquake this morning! The last two times I've been home there have been small quakes, wonder if this means I need to go home?

Oh yeah - and it's Friday - so here's a Friday's Feast:
Appetizer: On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being highest) how much do enjoy watching sports on television?
3, there are very few sports that translate well to TV - I am a fan of going to the game

Soup: If you could completely memorize any one work of fiction, which one would you pick?
Hmmm, this is a tough one - the thing that first came to mind was T.S. Elliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats. It's a collection of poems about cats that they based the musical Cats on. I'm not a huge fan of T.S. Elliot or Cats, though I love my cats, but they are wonderful poems and I can't really see the use of memorizing a novel. Somehow it just seems right to memorize poetry.

Salad: What is your favorite breakfast food?
That one is easy - my favorite would be Eggs Benedict.

Main Course: Name something fun you can do for less than $10.00.
Jeeze, there's not much - but I guess go to the movies (as long as you don't buy popcorn). I like to go to our local paper store and crop - that only costs $10, but it's not for everyone!

Dessert: How long does it usually take you to fall asleep?
Usually about a half an hour, I've got to read for a while. It's a rare night that I just lay down and sleep.

Current Music: California Sun - Jem

Menial Task #342

That's what I've just completed - that's all I've been doing this morning. I have a TON of designs to do and as well as pricing and follow-up calls and orders to place, but I've chosen the menial, mind numbing tasks instead.

With as much work as I've got I'm not really sure what brought on this particular case of the "fuck-its" (as my friend calls them). Though I did wake up this morning thinking that it was Saturday, and that can lead to instant early-morning depression! I'm also slightly PMS-y and I still can't figure out what to wear out tomorrow night. Well it could be the fact that Scott gets to race and then party on Mackinac for a couple of days, while I sit at home for the weekend (I will have Harry Potter to keep me company!). Actually - now that I think about it, I can totally see why I'm bummed!

So I realize that this is just a barely disguised post on procrastination, but as I've said before - I'm very good at it.

Current Music: You Sent Me Flying - Amy Winehouse