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... and one to grow on!

2010-09-11T23:54:00.000-07:00

I knew I needed to go out with a bang for my New Places Project, and I think I did. I went to the Mecca of cat lovers in Nashville – The Cat Shoppe!

There were kitties EVERYWHERE! And it was AMAZING! I wanted to take them all home. If I need a crazy cat lady fix, now I know where to go.

More info on The Cat Shoppe here.

PS: You should adopt a furry friend, if you haven't already and if you're able to take care of it.
PPS: Also, please visit this site to click every day and help save animals.

Week 52

2010-09-04T23:49:00.000-07:00

We'd been to Las Paletas once before, but it can count as two new places, because they got a new location! I had a pineapple blueberry paleta, and Darrell had a creamy berries paleta.

Then, we walked across the street and goofed off where there's a fun sculpture.

More info on Las Paletas here.

Week 51

2010-08-28T23:44:00.000-07:00

The weather hit a nice spell and Darrell and I took off on Percy the Motorcycle and went out to Seven Points nearby. It was a nice, relaxing jaunt.

More info on Seven Points here.

Week 50

2010-08-21T23:41:00.000-07:00

Wendy and I attended a wedding reception/celebration for our friend Marabeth and her husband Ken at the Nashville Bahá’í Faith center. It was a lovely ceremony and it was wonderful to hear all the kind words of love and support from their family and friends. I am glad we were able to attend such a beautiful event.

More info on the Nashville Bahá’í Faith center here.

Week 49

2010-08-14T23:33:00.000-07:00

Darrell and I ventured out to try one last time to find the Tilgham Cemetery, without avail. We did, however, have a nice jaunt through the woods, and we explored the park office.

The closest we could find to anything resembling a grave were piles of rocks like this, but the ground was so rocky, they were natural formations, I'm sure.

More information about the Tilgham Cemetery is, well, I frankly don't know. If you find it, let me know? :^) It is on the Google Maps if you search for "Tilgham Cemetery, Hermitage, TN."

Week 48

2010-08-01T21:45:00.000-07:00

They built a new Goodwill Store in Antioch, and I'm working on a bookshelf project, so I just had to go exploring today. I got a handful of clothes off the $0.99 racks, and I found exactly what I was looking for, book-wise. It was a successful trip.

More information about the Goodwill here.

Week 47

2010-07-31T22:35:00.000-07:00

Darrell and I went in search of a local cemetery, Tilgham Cemetery, but we couldn't find it. Instead, we found a rainbow that followed us around, this really pretty campground, a climbing tower, some pretty raindrops on a dead tree, and an ominous walking path.

All in all, a good adventure. Maybe one day, we'll find the cemetery.

More info about Couchville Recreation Area here.

Week 46

2010-07-19T22:35:00.000-07:00

Since we are working on a 30th anniversary display at work, my supervisor kindly got me into the anniversary timeline exhibit upstairs at the Ryman Auditorium.

I've been to the Ryman many times before, but I'd never been upstairs, and I'd definitely never seen this Hatch Show Print exhibit. I was pleasantly surprised to find this autographed print from the last Ben Folds show I saw there.

More information about the Ryman here.

Week 45

2010-07-17T22:35:00.000-07:00

Father, Christopher, and I went to Scottsboro, Alabama, to the Proctor family reunion. We had a lot of fun, and we decided on the way home to stop by Hammer's Department Store in South Pittsburg, Tennessee.

Christopher had been there before, but Father and I hadn't. It was an adventure for sure! They had every kind of Carharts available. I got some ladies pants for myself, along with some mens irregulars for Darrell. (Still not sure what makes them irregular.) I also got a cool dress for $1.50.

More info about Hammer's and about South Pittsburg here.

Week 44

2010-07-10T22:35:00.000-07:00

I'd never been to the new Kohl's they built in Smyrna, and Sarah and I both needed to go shopping for bras, so we went off in search of the spanky, new Kohl's! It was a moving experience, and we both found a bountiful supply of undergarments.

I probably should not be discussing undergarments on my weblog. *sigh*

More info about the Kohl's here. Also, in case you didn't know, tons of ladies out there wear the wrong bra size! Info about measuring for bra size here. (You can thank me later.)

Week 43

2010-06-27T22:35:00.000-07:00

After helping Sarah move, she, Jeremiah, and I went to a Mexican restaurant in Nashville, The Local Taco. I had vegetarian burritos that were quite tasty, and I enjoyed relaxing and spending time with friends after finishing with the moving stuff for the day.

More info about The Local Taco here.

Week 42

2010-06-26T22:35:00.000-07:00

For this week, I went to see a sculpture off Bell Road that I had seen only in passing quickly by in the car. It is at the entrance to Mission Mill Creek Apartments in Antioch, Tennessee.

It is a kinetic sculpture, and it has various lovely finishes to the metal and lots of light-catching sparkles at the top. It is surrounded by a bed of roses, and I must have looked quite strange trying to get the perfect picture of it. :^)

More information about the artist and the sculpture, "The Gift," here.

Week 41

2010-06-13T22:35:00.000-07:00

On the way home from Colorado, we went through Kansas, Illinois, Missouri, and Kentucky to get back home to Tennessee. Somewhere in Kansas, we stopped to get a bite to eat, and we discovered this lovely billboard I like to call "Jesus in the Prairie."

I looked it up, and found some information about the folks that made this billboard happen! Here's another article, too. The artist is Phyllis Shanks.

More information about Kansas and about Jesus here.

Week 40

2010-06-07T22:35:00.000-07:00

While we were in Colorado Springs, Darrell took me on a side-road to see a private sculpture garden. The sculptures are magnificent, kinetic sculptures that soundlessly glide with motion when the wind stirs. It is mesmerizing, however we couldn't linger, because there is controversy about the sculptures. People aren't supposed to stop there, and they aren't allowed to give tours. It is quite a strange and twisted story!

More info about the sculptor, Starr Kempf, here.

Week 39

2010-06-05T22:35:00.000-07:00

Darrell and I took a vacation this year to Colorado. We went through Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico to get there. It was quite an adventure!

We went in the Jeep, and we slept in the Jeep at this Welcome Center in Texas, just west of Alanreed. It was a gorgeous stop! In the morning, we woke up refreshed, took in a beautiful view, and got to see a wild roadrunner.

More info about this rest stop here.

Week 38

2010-05-29T10:39:00.000-07:00

Darrell and I ventured out to the new Ethiopian restaurant in Antioch. It was a wonderful experience! The food was DELICIOUS, even the beets. (I usually don't like beets.) The layout was beautiful, too, with all the different colors of the foods.

Overall, we were definitely pleased.

More info about Goha here.

Week 37

2010-05-19T22:35:00.000-07:00

Some folks from work ventured out to the San Antonio Taco Co., and my intern Kelly and I went with them. Kelly took this picture for me. Thanks, Kelly! :^)

They didn't have much I could eat there, but it was tasty.

More info about SatCo here.

Week 36

2010-05-09T20:20:00.000-07:00

For this week, I signed up to volunteer with administrative duties at the Hadley Park Community Center. I take it as a good sign that the work was slow... apparently most people who need FEMA aid have applied for it. Plus, it was Mother's Day, so I'm sure a lot of folks were just trying to get out and enjoy the day with their families.

I met some fun people, and I got my tetanus shot, in case I do end up finding "field work" that is light enough for me to handle next weekend.

More information about the Hadley Park Community Center and the Nashville floods here.

Week 35

2010-05-08T20:09:00.000-07:00

First, I went to the Progress center to drop off some clothes. Progress is a home for special needs adults, and one of their houses flooded. Two adult men were living there with a lady companion, and she escorted them to safety in the flood. (I hear it was quite a feat!) The companion and the men lost all their clothes to the flood waters, so I rustled up what I could around the house that would fit them and brought a bit to help.

Then, we went to Metro Animal Control to drop off cat food, litter, and some laundry detergent. I hear they are in need of supplies now more than ever with all the animals displaced and lost in the flooding.

More info about Progress and Metro Animal Control here.

Week 34

2010-04-29T23:55:00.000-07:00

Darrell and I'd been hearing good things about a vegetarian Indian restaurant in Nashville, so we went to explore. I was scared we were eating our dosas wrong, but then discovered we were doing it mostly correctly! It was quite an adventure, and the food was fabulous.

More about The Woodlands here.

Week 33

2010-04-24T23:55:00.000-07:00

Kathy and I were going to go eat lunch at The Wild Cow. But it is closed on Tuesdays. So then, we decided on The Veggie Cafe. But then we discovered it closed a while back. So, we decided to go to Chipotle off West End. It was tasty... but it was chilly and the music was a little loud. *sigh*

Cold-natured vegetarians just don't have many options these days. :^)

More info about Chipotle here.

Week 32

2010-04-17T23:55:00.000-07:00

I went to two new places this week! The first was Destination Motorcycles in Lenoir City, Tennessee, to pick up Darrell's new Speed Triple. My brother Christopher came into town and went with us, and it was nice to spend time with him on the way there and back. Also, my best friend Brianne stopped by to say hello with her buddy Rick. It was very exciting!

I think Darrell's going to name his new motorcycle Ariel... she is a hot red-head, just like The Little Mermaid. Ha!

While Darrell was out of town Sunday, I took pictures of us on it: Me, Sarah, and Christopher.

More info about Destination Motorcycles here.

The second new place I went was to Amy Starnes' birthday party at her friend Emily's house. Amy is such a bundle of Bono-loving energy! I brought Darrell, Christopher, and Sarah Peacock to the party with me, and I got to see some friends there and meet some of Amy's buds. It was definitely an adventure. :^)

I normally post "more info" links at the end of new places, but I shouldn't post more info about Emily's house... I will post more info about Bono! More info about Bono and U2 here...

Week 31

2010-04-09T21:22:00.000-07:00

This was James' first trip to the Hooters! I had only been to the Hooters in Downtown Nashville before, so it was my first trip to this particular Hooters, thus making it a new place. :^)

I wanted a picture of James with the Hooters girls, and Katy was supposed to be arranging it with permission, but she ended up making it an 18th birthday celebration Hooters-style. Oh, my!

There's another picture here, and one of the "birthday" here.

More info about Hooters (as if you need a link for more info for Hooters) is here.

PS: Whoever can count how many times I wrote "Hooters" in this post gets a cookie. Hooters, Hooters, Hooters.

Week 30

2010-04-03T19:58:00.000-07:00

Yes, I have worked at TPAC since 2002 (with a small break therein), and today was the first time I've ever visited our satellite Box Office location at Davis-Kidd Booksellers in The Mall at Green Hills. I've faithfully placed it with full approved verbiage into every admat where the Box Office is mentioned – "TPAC Box Office (Downtown or at Davis-Kidd Booksellers in The Mall at Green Hills)." I've discussed it with coworkers. And now, I can say I've actually been there. :^)

I tested some signage material swatches with J.G., but then he got a customer (as seen in the photo), and I finished measuring and headed out. It was painless, as far as working for a bit on a day off goes.

More info about TPAC's Box Office locations here, and more info about Davis-Kidd here.

Week 29

2010-03-27T23:00:00.000-07:00

I ventured out on my own to find Radnor Lake. I was beginning to think it was mythical when I finally broke down and called Darrell to find out what road to use to get to it. Silly me, I thought there would be signs somewhere. *sigh*

Anyhow, it was VERY crowded and frustrating and an altogether unsatisfying excursion. I'll stick with the Couchville Lake Loop for scenic walks – much easier to get into and less crowded.

Another photo is here, and more info about Radnor Lake is here.

Week 28

2010-03-17T17:26:00.000-07:00

Jill found out that the Dunkin' Donuts at Music City Central is giving away free coffee every Monday in March, so Sarah and I went with her to partake of donuty goodness.

Aside from the inside of the restaurant being disturbingly smelly, the donuts were tasty!

More info on this Dunkin' Donuts here.

Week 27

2010-03-10T17:30:00.000-08:00

This week, I ventured out to Drifters with some folks from work for karaoke fun! I do enjoy karaoke with good friends. :^) Lots of smiling, friendly faces were there: James, Lindsay, Sarah, Becci, John, Angela, Bryan (with a "y"), and our karaoke host Akil.

Pictured above are Akil and Becci singing "Up, Up, and Away" (with the back view of James in the booth). Special thanks to John for catching the photo with the arms UP! I have a couple more pictures: another photo of this scene (without arms up... *sigh*), one of Sarah, and there's a super-secret one. I didn't want to be That Girl With The Camera, so I just took a couple for this weblog.

More about Drifter's is here, and Akil hosts karaoke there on Tuesday nights!

Week 26

2010-03-04T19:03:00.000-08:00

This week brought me to the Tin Angel with Kathy and Rebecca. It was a lot of fun to catch up with these two lovely ladies, though we did miss Wendy being there. (She has been under the weather, so think warm, fuzzy, healthy thoughts for her, please!)

I gave Kathy a pair of stuffed doggies that look just like her boys, Alfie and Shamus. Kathy was tickled with them, so that is what I used for my photo. :^)

More info about the Tin Angel here.

Week 25

2010-02-27T23:48:00.000-08:00

My intern, Jill, and I each received a pair of tickets to the Adventure Science Center's 2010 Caper party. I brought Darrell, and Jill brought our friend Caitlin. The theme this year was 1940s, which turned out to be a lot of fun.

I climbed all the way to the top of the peaky roof! I tried to take group pictures there, but failed. Here are the two pictures on Flicker: Picture 1 and Picture 2.

More info about the Adventure Science Center here.
I would like to go back and see the planetarium sometime. We didn't get to see it, because we had to leave early... I had to spontaneously run to Scottsboro, Alabama for a funeral for my cousin Sam. :^(

Week 24

2010-02-15T11:49:00.000-08:00

Darrell and I were out toodling around on Valentine's Day, and I spotted these little cabins off the main road. So, we waded through a muddy field and saw that they were part of Evergreen Place, a historic home in Nashville that was demolished in 2005 to make way for the new Home Depot.

More information about Evergreen Place and the demolition is here. And a photo of the original home that was destroyed is here.

We proceeded from there to eat at The Wild Cow again; this time, we had vegan peanut butter cheesecake for dessert. Yum!

Week 23

2010-02-07T23:40:00.000-08:00

Since Brianne was in for the weekend, I took advantage of her visit to go ahead and knock out another new place on a Sunday instead of waiting until the end of the week. We're both vegetarians, so we piled in the truck with Darrell and went to The Wild Cow, a vegetarian restaurant in Nashville.

The food was super-tasty! I love being able to eat anything on the menu. Anything! Fancy that! And all the cheese is non-dairy unless you specially request dairy. Wow.

More info about The Wild Cow at www.thewildcow.com.

Week 22

2010-02-06T23:32:00.000-08:00

My best friend Brianne came to visit, and I could think of no better to take her than the largest liquor store in Tennessee! We really didn't buy much, but we did enjoy looking at all the labels and bottles. I also enjoyed groping Jack Daniel.

More info about Frugal MacDoogal Wine & Liquor Warehouse at www.frugalmacdoogal.com.

Week 21

2010-01-30T22:28:00.000-08:00

I wanted to see a covered bridge in the snow, so Darrell drove me to the best one I could find. It is in Hendersonville, and it was built the year I was – 1980. :^)

It's a little private drive bridge that crosses a creek. The sound of the water and the bright white snow were so pretty! They got really soft snow there without any ice on top like we did. (We got crème brulée snow in Antioch.)

I would like to go visit a very historic covered bridge at some point. Any suggestions? I found a nice list here, but it includes some pretty fruity ones here and there.

Week 20

2010-01-23T11:49:00.000-08:00

Peeking up into our attic probably wasn't the best thing to do when I have a cold, but I really don't feel up to getting out and about. I've always wanted to look at our attic, though. I just never have.

Since we live in a split-level, I use the attic that is situated over the bottom portion of the house, because the access is easier. I'd never even lifted the entrance to this part of the attic before.

It was new and exciting... well, as much excitement as I can possibly handle right now. Time to go to the store to buy Kleenex. Yay.

Week 19

2010-01-16T19:38:00.000-08:00

Darrell and I ventured out in the drizzly rain to Stones River Greenway. It was nice and quiet, and I could hear the rain pitter-pattering on the leaves while we walked.

I got my jacket dirty laying on the rail, but it was totally worth it.

More info about the Stones River Greenway project here. And there's photo another photo of me plus me and Darrell and one of the river on my Flickr page.

Week 18

2010-01-09T22:40:00.000-08:00

Darrell and I ventured out in the icy flurries to Fort Negley. I was hoping to take some artsy photos while we were there, but it was too darn cold. I should be hibernating right now.

I would like to go back to Fort Negley when the weather is nice so that we can explore the visitor's center and all the signage. The original trails would be fun to walk, also.

Side Note: I got an insect bite right beside by left eye while we were out. It is crazy to think a gnat would survive in this weather. I told Darrell maybe I'm allergic to Fort Negley. His response? "Your anti-war sentiments are making you break out in hives." Ha!

More information about Nashville's Fort Negley here.

Week 17

2010-01-02T10:37:00.000-08:00

Since Osiris needed medicine twice a day at Xmastime, our holiday visit to Chattanooga was cut short. So, we went back down for New Year's Day. Wilma asked permission for us to shoot fireworks down by the river where they keep the Community Garden, and they kindly allowed us to go there.

It was a beautiful, clear, COLD night. The moon was much larger than it appears in this photo. Darrell and Christopher shot the fireworks while Micki, Father, Wilma, Uncle Eddie, and I huddled together for warmth.

Happy 2010!

Week 16

2009-12-26T22:20:00.000-08:00

The week of Xmas, we went to a holiday party at Dan and Hope's house. Hope had it decked out to the gills in decorations, and it is quite lovely.

You can kind of see Dan in the background talking to Jeff E. Darrell is also there, behind Jeff E.

I couldn't get a good photo of their dirty Santa ornament. It had Mrs. Claus humping Santa, and it was pretty awesome. They said they got it at the Hustler store. It wasn't on their website, though. However, I did find "pecker party lights" on the online store. Ha!

UPDATE: Darrell found the dirty Santa ornament online!

Week 15

2009-12-19T22:09:00.000-08:00

I wanted to see some Xmas lights, so Darrell and I went to see George Jones' house. I saw on The Tennessean that it is one of the most elaborately decorated private residences during the holidays, so I figured we should go see it.

We weren't the only ones. There was a lot of traffic going in and out of the neighborhood. There was also a giant rocking chair for the kiddos to sit on and get their picture taken. It was quite elaborate.

Week 14

2009-12-11T19:13:00.000-08:00

I've been to the counter at Hatch before, but that's as far as I got. Aimee (my Fall 2009 intern) and I ventured down to Hatch Show Print, and this time, I spotted one of the kitties, Huey. I got to pet Huey on the head, and he enjoyed it very much. Or at least he tolerated my presence. :^)

I didn't think to bring my camera to work that day, so the photos are from my phone. Another photo of Huey is here.

Week 13

2009-12-04T23:59:00.000-08:00

I ventured out to the Vanderbilt campus again, and this time, I found the statues I'd set out for the first time. :^) Above is "Black Cat." I also found "Owls Lookout."

Click here for a map of the Vanderbilt University campus sculptures.

Week 12

2009-11-28T23:55:00.000-08:00

I decided to explore some of the sculptures on the Vanderbilt campus. I'd set out to find the cat sculptures, but I couldn't remember where they were. However, I found "Map Turtle: Graptemys Geographica" (pictured above) right away. Then, I spotted "Shadow and Substance" and "Come Play."

Hopefully, I will venture back out to see the cat ones soon...

Click here for a map of the Vanderbilt University campus sculptures.

Week 11

2009-11-21T08:56:00.000-08:00

I am very excited to report that this week I got to finally meet my friend Jack Hooper's fiancé Linda! They made us dinner, and we got to chat and what-not. Heartfelt thanks to Jack and Linda for having us over and feeding us a delicious meal of hummus, salmon (Darrell had the salmon), eggs, broccoli, and beans + rice. It was wonderful; I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Linda is quite a catch, Jack Hooper! Congratulations to the happy couple. :^)

I also got to meet Baxter, Linda's Shiba Inu. I insisted he be in the picture above, because he's so darn cute, and he is Jack's furry little friend.

It's very cute.

In case you would like to see a Shiba Inu puppy's fuzzy little butt, click here.

Week 10

2009-11-13T23:00:00.000-08:00

We tried out the new restaurant downtown, Taste of Italy. It is an Italian bar. I had salad and spaghetti, which were mostly unremarkable. However, the breadsticks are something to write home about.

Afterward, we went to the bank, and I spotted a wall that beckoned me. So, I climbed it. I felt quite proud of myself.

The end.

Week 09

2009-11-07T23:55:00.000-08:00

Feeling less than adventurous this week lead me to a nearby home store I've heard good things about, Southeastern Salvage.

We saw some "vanilla bean" hardwood that tickled our fancy, and I enjoyed the copper sinks. It'll be a while before we can get that kind of stuff, though... still working on peeling the wallpaper. Blegh. But a girl can daydream, right?

I can't find a picture on the internet of vanilla bean hardwood flooring, but it looks a lot like tigerwood, only darker darks and blonder blondes.

More info on Southeastern Salvage here.

Week 08

2009-10-31T20:44:00.000-07:00

This weekend was spent in Chattanooga. First, we'd gone off in search of Stubbs Artificial Limbs. However, Stubbs eluded us. (We'll find it another time.)

So, I thought it over and realized that there is a monument right off the interstate entrance ramp in my hometown, Lookout Valley, that I've always wanted to explore. We found it, and then discovered US Boundary NPS signs as well as an old, faded Cummings Bottom sign. So, we explored on foot!

We walked a fair distance, and then headed back. Later, we looked up more info, and there is an old cemetery further in, Fryar Cemetery. Hopefully, we'll get to explore that on a day when the weather is more cooperative.

I couldn't find any links for more information about Cummings Bottom. I found that it has Civil War historical relevance, but not much more than that. If anyone has any more information about it, please send it my way.

Week 07

2009-10-24T16:38:00.000-07:00

Discussing new places to go with Jessica at work, she recommended a little joint called Hot Diggity Dogs off Ewing in Nashville. It was a fun little place to eat. I had two soy dogs with yellow mustard, and Darrell had two all-beef hot dogs with cheese. We both had French fries, and they were mighty tasty as well.

My only qualm was the amount of waste our meal generated – 4 styrofoam hot dog containers and two styrofoam cups. I'm thinking they should reevaulate their serving packaging there... it could save them some money and save a lot of waste.

However, it was still a very worthwhile venture. My stomach was pleased! Thanks, Jessica. :^)

More info at www.hotdiggitydogstn.com.

Week 06

2009-10-17T20:50:00.001-07:00

For this week, Darrell and I visited somewhere I've heard only good things about – Las Paletas.

I was a bad quasi-vegan, and I had a Mexican Caramel paleta. Darrell had cantaloupe.

They were indeed mighty, mighty tasty. What a treat! More Las Paletas info here.

Week 05

2009-10-11T19:01:00.000-07:00

This week brought me to Memphis to the Cook Convention Center for the AIGA Make|Think conference. I was frightened to be alone in a "networking" atmosphere, but I found a good balance between some socialization, learning, and introspection. Plus, I got to make a print with Jim Sherraden from Hatch Show Print and draw a monster with Stefan G. Bucher of 344 Design.

My feet hurt. I have strange, asymmetrical cramps in my left foot, right shin, and left hip. I'm tired. But, I'm hopeful and re-energized about the work I do.

Click here for more pictures from the conference.

Week 04

2009-10-03T17:42:00.000-07:00

After a long day of yard work at two houses, Darrell and I finally made the journey out to another new place. I decided that since it was so pretty outside today, we should go to the Cumberland River Pedestrian Bridge. We've been meaning to go to it since it opened in 2007/2008-ish, but we hadn't made the time. I love bridges.

We couldn't've asked for a better day than today. It was beautiful and quiet.

I also took this picture, but it felt very wintery, so I decided the one above would be more representative of the day.

Week 03

2009-09-25T21:57:00.000-07:00

Tonight was Melissa Brett's CD release party for The Butterfly Ball at The Listening Room in Nashville. As always, Melissa was ravishing and put on a great show. It was very exciting to see everyone ooh and aah over the CD, since I did the graphic design for it. :^)

I felt pretty awkward afterward, though, and ran away pretty soon after Melissa wrapped up on stage. Social graces just don't come naturally for me. *sigh* I wish I could not be so anxious in situations that involve socializing.

I forgot the camera, so I took this photo with my cell phone. However, I have no idea how to pull pictures from my cell phone onto the computer without bugging my hunka-hunka-I.T.-love, so I figured I'd take a picture with my butterfly shirt that everyone liked. I made this shirt when I was but a wee lass. I was rockin' the t-shirt paint. Oh, yeah.

Week 02

2009-09-18T17:39:00.000-07:00

For week #2, Darrell took me, Naomi, and Pratiksha to "Tokyo" at work in TPAC. They call it Tokyo because it's so far away from everything, and it takes 131 stairs to get there from the stage level. There's a long staircase, a catwalk over Jackson Hall, a large storage area (Tokyo), and the spot booths. On the spot booth walls, there is artwork from all the different touring shows that have played Jackson Hall over the years. I've always heard about it, but I'd never been up there. So, what a great excuse to finally see it!

I hope I'm not violating some unwritten code of stagehands by posting a photo...

Week 01

2009-09-15T18:52:00.000-07:00

On my birthday, Darrell, Father, Christopher, Christopher's friend Micah, Uncle Eddie, Aunt Wilma, Eddie's brother David, and some of David's friends and family rode motorcycles down to the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Leeds, Alabama (near Birmingham). Micki and Caitlin followed us there in the truck, and I rode most of the way home in the truck, because my butt was sore.

The museum was gorgeous. I loved soaking in all the pretty, shiny bikes and seeing the inventive displays. Watching the guys get weak in the knees while watching the racetrack was also one of my favorite parts.

It was a lovely day for a road trip, and I enjoyed spending the time with friends and family.

I've decided that I need a Cushman.