I Don't Think I'll Be Able to Sleep Tonight

On Halloween, I discovered Celebrity Ghost Stories on the Biography Channel. At first, I thought it was going to be laughable. It turns out, some of the stories are really scary. Alice Cooper and Marilyn Manson get the crap scared out of them??!! This is good stuff! Now, I'm completely addicted to this show. Some of the stories have really happy endings. Um...didn't mean it that way. You'll just have to watch it to see what I mean. I tried to post a youtube video, but the video address was disabled. Click on the link to access youtube and watch some of the episodes.


Celebrity Ghost Stories can be scary; however, nothing terrified me more that the sight of this on my shop it to me alert. These were originally priced over $150.00!! I swear, I still think this was a joke by the designer to see just WHAT people will buy. Pleated, roll up, mom jean shorts, aka, jorts.


On that same note, a friend of mine was telling me about how in love she was with her jeggings. Do you know about these? Are they fabulous? I might have to try them. Although, I've been a bit leery of them, for fear that they will spark the resurrection of the 1980's hair band, tight, frosted jeans. Remember those? They were awful, even then.

New Face On An Old Broad

This weekend, Broad Street in midtown, had a block party. Since, the entrance to Sam Cooper Blvd, no longer includes Broad Street, a lot of the shops have had to relocate, leaving the strip with a lot of empty shops. It's my understanding that local artists were told, if they wanted to participate in the block party, they were pretty much at liberty to decorate the spaces however they liked. Each shop was so inviting and creatively decorated. Even the pedestrian crosswalks were painted funky. I hate that I didn't take more pictures! It was so lively and creative. Also, Ghost River Brewery was there...need I say more?

The street, itself, had about three or four blocks of bicycle lanes. There were signs posted to park to the left of the lanes. :-) It seems counter productive to have bicycle lanes, if vehicles use them as on street parking.



Along a fence was a mural, in which anyone and everyone who attended the block party, could add whatever they wanted.



This kid was a lot of fun to watch skate. So much talent wrapped up in such a small package!


After drinking beer, checking out all of the vendors, we had worked up quite an appetite. We stopped into the new diner on Broad, "3 Angels". It was small, but unique. The bright blue paint on the walls definitely made the place cheery. Also, they had pretty delicious Bloody Mary's, so I've been told. However, I didn't try any this time...I had my fill of local brew. The tables had various old advertisements (circa 1950's) that provided entertainment while we waited for food. There was one ad, on our table, for a fridge that had a juice dispenser...it held something like, 24 juice cans! The food was pretty good, too. It took a while, but they were quite busy, given the block party going's on.




I had the "adult grilled cheese sandwich" with smoked Gouda, goat cheese, green onions and veggie bacon. The sandwich came with a side of homemade potato chips and a deviled egg. Yum-o-la! I'd trade my pickle spear for a deviled egg any day of the week. Doesn't it look de-lish??! Well, it was. Trust me!

Brown Baggin' It

One of the perks of working downtown, is that sometimes there are free concerts and entertainment during lunch hours and/or after hours. In the summer, Court Square has concerts and the Center City Commission, Urban Art and Live from Memphis (I think) sponsor Alley Jams.

Today was the last of Center for Southern Folklore's Free Lunch Performances. Josh Shoe was the musician who played. He has a bluesy, country style. He was very gracious, as well. He acknowledged everyone who walked in and thanked them for coming to see him play. Quite nice, in my book!



Since, I was on my lunch break, I couldn't stay too long, but stayed long enough to listen to about 5 or 6 songs. He started off with a few old country covers. Garth Brooks and Randy Travis. It was ok, but not quite my thing. His voice was a bit whiney, which I don't care for. Then he played some of his own tunes. His voice changed; it was no longer "whiney"...it was the strangest thing. He was definitely more invested in his own music and gave himself the liberty to "let go." I even turned to my friend and said, "he should stay away from covers and only play his own music!"

It was definitely worth watching. And, it was a good way to support the local flavor, which I LOVE to do at every opportunity. If you get a chance, check him out & lemme know what you think!

Cool Happenings Beginning Tomorrow!

November 19th and 20th, A New Face For An Old Broad is going on in the Arts District of Broad Street.



There will be music, food and other vendors. A bicycle parade will be at 11am on Saturday! The way the flyer reads, if you have a bike, you can join in the parade!! Here's the line up of events and vendors:

Great River Crossing Stage – sponsored by Aerobic Cruisers, Greater Memphis Greenline and Shelby Farms Greenline

Friday, Nov. 19
5:30 – 7:00 pm Ryan Peel
7:30 – 9:30 pm Hudson and Saleeby

Saturday, Nov. 20
Noon – 1:30 pm Gypsy Hombres
1:30 – 2:00 pm Project Motion Dance
2 – 2:45 pm Space Devoted
3 – 3:45 pm Sexton Trio
4 – 4:45 pm Bryan Hartley
5 – 5:45 pm Tom Lonardo Jazz
6 – 6:45 pm Wampa
7 – 7:45 pm Nick Black
8 - 9:30 pm Marcela Pinilla


Retail shopping opportunities rejuvenate the empty buildings along Broad Avenue.

Broad Avenue Art Galleries and Studios
Artist Markets - jewelry, paintings, photography and more
Brooks Museum and Pink Palace Museum Gift Boutiques
Dinah Makowsky Milinery
Antique Store
Brave - Jewlery, Design and more
Strange Fruit Vintage Store
Interior Design Accessory Store
Kate and Elise, refashioners

Aerobic Cruiser
The Peddler - rent a bike and tour the new lanes!
Outdoors, Inc.
Revolutions
Newsstand
Bookstore
Meet the Authors - book signing
Hollywood Feed
Exercise Center
Martial Arts Classes
Massage Therapy
Hooper Troopers
Collage Dance School

Three Angels Diner
Broadway Pizza (check out breakfast on Saturday!)
The Cove
Republic Coffee
DeJa Vu
The Crepe Maker
Fratelli's
Cafe Eclectic Hot Dog Cart
Muddy's Bake Shop
Ghost River Beer Tent

If you're interested in volunteering, contact Alicia at: info@livablememphis.org

More Deals and Random Thoughts

Ann Taylor and Loft are having a friends and family sale, from Tuesday, November 6th, through Sunday, November 21st. Just enter the code "FRIENDS" at checkout for 30% off your entire purchase and receive free shipping for orders of $100.00 or more!

Outdoor's Inc., cyclocross event, held downtown, was a really good time. There were some pretty amazing riders who participated. If you missed it, you can still check out some of the pictures. Click on the particular races (A, B, or C) to see all of the action!

Favorite quote from the weekend, "I've lived a lot of places...an Amish Family took me in and I crashed on their couch for a little while. They are a stinky people." ~Britton


Have a great week!
M

Give and Get is Here!

I received this earlier today. Since, the holiday season is approaching like a freight train, I thought I'd share! Happy shopping to all!

Give and Get is Here!: "Enjoy 30% off from November 11-14 at Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy plus we'll make a 5% donation to a non-profit."

Worst...or Best (?) Pick-up Line

This happened a few months ago, but the incident popped into my head and gave me a laugh, so I thought I'd share.

I went to establish a memebership at a local college's recreation center. Since, I am an alumni, I receive a huge discount and the facility is extremely nice. I just wanted a place where I could swim through the winter. When I went to the recreation services office, I made it just before closing. The lady, who I spoke with several times on the phone, had already left for the day. The director of the department, who was a man, was there instead. Immediately, he told me that I looked familiar and asked if we had met before. I politely told him, "no," but offered some ways, in which we might have seen each other around town. Did he cycle? No. Did he run? Yes. Well, that might be it...at that time, all I did was run, bike and swim, in preparation for my triathlon. He said that he did triathlons. Well, his mouth said that, his body said the only triathlons that he did was eat, drink and run to the bathroom when he had too much Mexican food. But, I digress.

We moved on to my membership. He told me that if I was an alumni, I received a year free! The lady on the phone told me one month free for being an alumni, as well, as a monthly discount. I was estatic! Being a girl has its advantages sometimes. Then he went back to, "you look so familiar." Ok, I thought we'd covered this. But the man just gave me a year free membership, so again, I'm trying to help him out. I have a large family, maybe you know one of my siblings? People say we look alike. Did you go to U of M? No, turns out he *just* moved to Memphis two weeks ago from NYC. Two weeks?? Why was I wasting my time trying to help him figure out how he knew me?

After he told me that he'd only been in town for two weeks, again he started with the looking familiar crap. THEN, he said, "are you on any internet dating sites?" Uh-huh, now, the truth comes out. Lame. Negatory on that one, "Mr. You Look Familiar."

So, if I were on internet dating sites and said "yes," wouldn't it have been the perfect "in" for him to ask for a date? What do you think? Anyone have some horrible pick up lines thrown their way?

The Month of All Things Pink

Since, this month is breast cancer awareness month, Susan G. Komen's signature pink has found its way into so many consumer products. The foundation's pink ribbons have expanded to pink shirts, caps, back packs, and even store grocery bags. It's absolutely amazing how much support the foundation, as well as, the entire month of October, receives.

On my last grocery shopping trip, here's how I was greeted at the check out line (ok, I acknowledge that it's not the best quality, but I was trying not to delay the line too much. cut me some slack):



How can this not make you smile? How? This lady made my day! After a long, stressful day, this lady (inadvertently) reminded me that life shouldn't be taken too seriously.

I hope that, sooner rather than later, there is a cure for this awful disease. In the meantime, keep showing your fun style, Memphis!

The Climb to my Birthday!

As you know, a lot has happened in the past few months. The most important thing that happened is...ready for it? MY BIRTHDAY! Martie, what ever did you do for your birthday, you might ask. Well, let me show you. :-)



Learning all about rock climbing gear!






Just a hilarious shot! SNL (aka, Sarah) using Tom to balance as she puts on her rock climbing shoes. By the way, rock climbing shoes are the most uncomfortable shoes I've ever put on my feet. And they're not cute either. I'll put up with throbbing foot pain for the sake of fashion, but this went against everything I believe in. Yes, I wanted to go rock climbing THAT much!



Finally getting to climb. Gosh, the harness is just as flattering as the shoes are!





SNL and Tom give it a go. Tom took off like a rocket. So unfair!





SNL on the descent.



Dave, showing he can be like a spider and make it to the top, too!

The experience was a great one. Our instructor sprinkled the lessons with real life climbing stories. Some did not end well, as to "drive the point home" about the importance of reliable gear and pre-climb checks. I'm so glad that Outdoors, Inc. has rock climbing classes. After completing the class, people can use the rock climbing wall on their own. After all the stories, I think I'm going to stick to indoor walls with kooshy mats to break any falls. :-) I think using the wall at Outdoors (in Cordova) is something like $5.00 an hour. Not much to pay for some fun and challenging exercise.

Well, Hello!

It seems I've been on a hiatus. Ok, I cancelled my home internet connection. I'm at "Charbucks" as we speak. All hail for free internet!! Now, if I could just stop with renting so many "on demand" movies (not the free variety, of course), maybe, just maybe, my cable bill won't be so scary.

For ages now, I've been wanting to really challenge myself, physically. Working out is a HUGE bore. Running is torture, but I do it because I love to eat. Anyway, after wondering if I could do it...and convincing myself I couldn't, I decided to prove myself wrong and participate in a triathlon! Trying to finish a 1/2 mile swim without drowning was my biggest fear. Shockingly, though, my body adjusted easiest to the swim training. Ok, so, I'm not a fast swimmer, but each day, the distance and time was easier than the last!

August 1st, I completed my challenge. It. Was. Awesome. I've definitely have the "bug" now! I think I, literally, swallowed it along the course. Oh, and on the run, it swarmed around my head for a good quarter of a mile.



It was a "dock" start. We all went into the water in 3 second intervals! No mad dash into the water.




Finishing the very hilly 23 mile bike part of the course.




Almost there...I can smell the bbq!

Overall, I was super slow, but steady. There were about 175 participants and the volunteers were wonderful. It was such a perfect introduction to triathlon racing. I'm looking very forward to next year's season. Watch. Out.

Celebrity Snubbings!

So, anyone who knows me, knows that I love, love, love…LOVE comedy. Just like the “beat goes on,” so does my list of favorite comedians. When I received the Zanies (Nashville) flyer showing Tracy Morgan on the schedule, you could say that I was all a-flutter. You would also be making a cosmic understatement. I immediately made plans to go to the show, even though, I had other obligations in Memphis that weekend. No problem…I’d try and leave work early on Friday, then drive back Saturday, early afternoon. Nashville is only about 3 or 3 ½ hour’s drive, however, I seem to ALWAYS find bumper-to-bumper traffic at some point along the way. So, at least one leg of the trip ALWAYS takes more like 5 hours.

My friend was keen on making a quick trip to see Tracy Morgan, then drive back. She had a hot date on Saturday night. Let’s face it, my friends and I do have our priorities in order. Comedy first, then hot dates. :-)

So, Friday morning began to set the tone for the rest of the day; last minute packing; busy at work – would I even be able to leave on time? When I finally picked up my friend and we were on our way, I breathed a sigh of relief…too soon. Bumper to bumper traffic on the interstate AND we weren’t even out of Memphis yet. No worries. Luckily, I was right beside an exit…well, two lanes over. So I inched my way over to the exit ramp (thank you truckers who let me over) and skipped the portion of the interstate that was grid locked. We actually made the trip in really good time.

We stayed at Hotel Indigo, which is really nice, but the lighting in the room is much to be desired. Especially, if one intends on applying make –up…which we did. The front desk guy, Bag (I swear that’s what his name tag said), laughed the entire time he was checking us in. Okay, so my friends and I are goofy, but I didn’t think we were THAT funny. Bag asked if we wanted one or two queen sized beds. My friend immediately said, “two”…then turned to me and said, “unless you want to spoon.” To which I replied, “it has been a long time, but no thanks, I’m good.” Bag could not stop giggling.



On our way to Zanies! We're big pimpin' in the hotel's "shuttle!"

Off to the show we went. We arrived at Zanies super early so that we could get seats close to the stage. Maybe Tracy Morgan would razz us. We were able to get seats pretty close to the stage. Score! We ordered drinks and appetizers as we waited for show time to arrive. When the first warm up comedian took the stage, I figured it would be a good time to use the restroom. I certainly didn’t want to miss any of Tracy Morgan’s set. When I walked out of the bathroom door, into the cul-de-sac that was the hallway to the restroom, who was standing there looking at the photos of comedians hanging on the wall? TRACY freakin' MORGAN! I had to walk past him to leave the bathroom area & get back to my seat. If I didn’t say something to him, I knew that I would mentally kick myself for the rest of my life. So, as I walked passed him, I lightly touched his arm and said, “Tracy Morgan, I’m so excited that you’re here!” He looked at me with a blank look and looked back at the photo’s hanging on the wall. No, “thanks”…no, “screw you”…nothing. So, I just smiled and walked off.

That experience might have skewed my view of the show, but I really don’t think it did. When Tracy Morgan took the stage, immediately, we all thought he was wearing a woman’s shirt. It was the long sleeved type of shirt that has the fabric tag & button so that you can roll up the sleeves and fasten the tag to the button to make it into quarter sleeves. And he did have the sleeves rolled to quarter length. Soon, it became evident that he was not drunk, but not sober. That said, in his defense of the earlier "snubbing," it's quite possible that he thought I was a really tall illusion.

Well, whatever…as long as he’s funny, right? Funny, yes. Utterly vile and disgusting, very. Now, don’t get me wrong, I like gross/dirty comedy, as long as it’s funny, but Mr. Morgan kinda went over the line…A LOT. One of his jokes was about ordering off of the expensive (lobster/steaks, etc.) side of the menu. He warns his date that “That’s the three finger side of the menu. Three finger minimum." I won’t tell you what is done with those three fingers. Let’s just say, it made me dry heave. He also talks about running red lights…and he’s not talking about driving…

Yeah, it was dirty, he wasn’t a gracious celebrity, but it was still fun. But…the night didn’t end with the show. Afterward, there were more drinks to be had, arguments with idiots who want to discuss politics and Christianity, but only have one line of reasoning (literally) and who just keeps repeating that one line, until the other person gets frustrated and gives up. Then (almost) strangers thinking it is okay to smack someone else’s butt in public.



Having fun after the show...even after the "butt smacking" incident.

On the way home, of course, we ran into bumper to bumper traffic…in true "Martie" fashion, the trip took close to 5hrs. Was it worth it? Hands down, YES! I got a story out of the whole ordeal, didn’t I?

More Bicycling Weekends!

What, at the time seemed like the hottest day, so far (until the next day), was also the day of the 20, 40 or 60 mile bike ride to benefit Juvenile Diabete's Research. My friend and I decided on the 40 miler. Me on my steel framed 35 lb+ mountain bike, "Big Bertha" and her on her lighter hybrid bike. Here we are bright eyed and busy tailed. The temperature was only about 85 degrees at this point...8:00am.

















At each 10 mile marker, there was a "SAG" station. I believe it stands for Service and Gear, or something like that. It's a place to refresh on fluids and eat some fruit or carbs...or both! We survived the first 30 miles and were even still smiling. Along the way, we met a lady, wearing a Betty Boop cycling shirt. She was a complete riot. And not just because of the shirt. At the mile 30 SAG station, we asked her if we could take a picture of with her in her Betty Boop shirt. Well, she thought we wanted to take a picture IN her Betty Boop shirt and said, "do you want me to take it off." As you can see, after a slight laughing fit, we explained to her that we did not want to wear her stinky, sweaty shirt, but wanted her to be in a picture with us!
















After leaving the 30 mile SAG station, the wind, heat and lack of shade was really beginning to catch up with me. Not to mention lugging Bertha up all the hills that they seemed to save until the end! Needless to say, we did NOT take any "after photos." The fact that we survived was enough. By the time we finished, the temperature was 97 degrees!

The next weekend, our casual, fun group ride headed downtown for a stop at the Memphis Farmers Market. Since, the heat index has been close to and into the 100's pretty consistently, we decided to start at 7:30 am, instead of our usual, 9:00 am start. What a difference an hour and a half makes! The market was buzzing with activity and the booths were stocked. Normally, I arrive at 11:00 am, when it's all "slim pickin's"













If you haven't had the opportunity to make it to the Farmer's Market, definitely get there before the season ends! It's well worth it, but arrive early for the best selection.