Blog Sharing

I saw this on Bike Snob NYC's blog and couldn't help but share:


(Mark Cavendish is a merciless winning machine--except when he's sobbing uncontrollably.)

1) According to Mark "The Man Missile" Cavendish, victory is:


--"About beating other people"
--"About getting beaten by other people"
--"A dish best served cold"
--"A more pretentious form of winning"

For more, go here.

Love for David Byrne

People who know me, know how much I adore David Byrne. Seriously, if I were more ambitious and didn't have such bad A.D.D., I might be a psycho-fan. Lucky for him, I'm too lazy and not nearly focused enough.

When reading his journal, I saw this gem...now I kinda wanna get married, for the sole purpose of having David Byrne perform the ceremony! The only problem with that is the whole, me + marriage, thing.

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.