In the movie in Airplane! there is a need for a doctor on the plane, and luckily there is a doctor on board. At my apartment complex's pool here in Nashville there was a similar situation, but far less detrimental. The complex organized a block pool party with food, drinks, and live music.
Why spring for live music? Because it is the music city and we can!
So after the performer's set he had to leave for another gig and we were left with at quiet pool and the crowd was getting antsy. But do not fear because this is Nashville and there will be more than likely half a dozen aspiring musicians with in a 50 year radius. So our party was saved by 3 young men who did not take much coaxing to get up and each play us a mini set.
"Hurry! We need a some one who can sing and play the guitar to save us from the angry crowd!"
Only in Nashvile.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Sunday, May 4, 2008
The Running of the 134 Kentucky Derby
Yesterday was my 1st attendance at a horse race. So I guess you can say that I did this first right because I attend The Kentucky Derby, I sat in the grandstands, wore the sundress and the wide brim hat to match. I also should add that I had my first Mint Julep there at Churchill Downs.
My boyfriend, Zac, and I arrived a few hours before the 1st race. Somehow we entered through the main admission gate which fed us into the in-field. It was an uncomfortable feeling, like we were showing up for Bonnaroo in a cocktail dress. After much confusion, and a few passes through tunnels under the track we finally made it to the paddock area.
I'm glad that we got there before it was crowded (side note: over 157,000 were in attendance!). We were able to see and do it all, and of course took pictures of it as well. We had our Mint Juleps before 10:30 am and I finished mine half past noon. Now I do tend to nurse my drinks, but in my defense, a drink like that can take out a linebacker!
Shortly after we sat down and made our picks for the first race. Zac did a box trifecta (spelling?) but my pick was much more simple, I picked one horses to place/show. We placed our bets, found our seats and eventually the race commenced. It was so thrilling watch your horse battle it out for the win. I felt like Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, wanting to yell "come on, come on, move your bloody arse!"
We both lost on race one.
After doing this cycle of picking and losing for a few more races finally I had a pick. I bet that my horse would place and he came in 3rd! I was so excited an proud that I won a bet. I soon learned the difference between when a horse places (1st or 2nd) and when he shows (1st, 2nd, or 3rd). Whoops! I assumed that Churchill Downs had a policy of not cashing in on "I meant to say" bets, so I had to cut my losses on that race. As the day carried on we did make a few wins. Each time a new race began the crowd became a bit larger. Also as it got later in the day the mind grew stronger, it was a battle that my hat was not equipt to fight so I was left with a limp hat.
Then came the main event:
I picked Z Fortune (who we name Zac's Fortune and thus the reason we placed bets on him), Cowboy Cal, and Eight Belles all across the board [to win, place, and to show]. I was my largest bet of the day, and rightly so. It was so exciting watching them paraded the horses out, played the reveille horn, and then the horses were in the gates, and finally... they were off! Zac was right when he told me that it is the most exciting 2 and a half minuets of all sports. Halfway into the race I determined that Z(ac's) Fortune was not going to be true for us and Cowboy Cal was not going to be any better. But my filly, Eight Belles was doing quite well. She was in the lead pack! She and Big Brown were in competition but then he broke away and left Eight Belles to settle with runner up. I could live that because I still had a profitable bet.
After the crowds cleared I cashed in my winning ticket, at that time I had no idea that they had put down my prize winning filly just moments earlier. It was later that night we heard Eight Belles's tragedy. I have teared up a few times thinking about it. She was my favorite pick, but of course every other female watching the race would say the same thing. It was the fellow sister empowering spirit that we all got from Eight Belles. And she was a powerful girl, she gave those boys a run for their money, literally. I know it is tragic how it ended but she died perusing a Thoroughbred's life goal but only few can achieve, running in the Derby, and not only that but she finished well.
We decided to end the day with one more race. This time we made a joint bet, going in 50/50 on a ticket. But much like the trend of the day it was a zero cash in for us. All in all it was a great and memorial day for me. I was there for making of history; another Derby winner was determined. I saw an American land mark and made a check off the things that I want to do before I turn 35 list. So, what's next on my list? Spend time in Europe and win big at the Derby. Yes, that's right, I plan on going back!
My boyfriend, Zac, and I arrived a few hours before the 1st race. Somehow we entered through the main admission gate which fed us into the in-field. It was an uncomfortable feeling, like we were showing up for Bonnaroo in a cocktail dress. After much confusion, and a few passes through tunnels under the track we finally made it to the paddock area.
I'm glad that we got there before it was crowded (side note: over 157,000 were in attendance!). We were able to see and do it all, and of course took pictures of it as well. We had our Mint Juleps before 10:30 am and I finished mine half past noon. Now I do tend to nurse my drinks, but in my defense, a drink like that can take out a linebacker!
Shortly after we sat down and made our picks for the first race. Zac did a box trifecta (spelling?) but my pick was much more simple, I picked one horses to place/show. We placed our bets, found our seats and eventually the race commenced. It was so thrilling watch your horse battle it out for the win. I felt like Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, wanting to yell "come on, come on, move your bloody arse!"
We both lost on race one.
After doing this cycle of picking and losing for a few more races finally I had a pick. I bet that my horse would place and he came in 3rd! I was so excited an proud that I won a bet. I soon learned the difference between when a horse places (1st or 2nd) and when he shows (1st, 2nd, or 3rd). Whoops! I assumed that Churchill Downs had a policy of not cashing in on "I meant to say" bets, so I had to cut my losses on that race. As the day carried on we did make a few wins. Each time a new race began the crowd became a bit larger. Also as it got later in the day the mind grew stronger, it was a battle that my hat was not equipt to fight so I was left with a limp hat.
Then came the main event:
I picked Z Fortune (who we name Zac's Fortune and thus the reason we placed bets on him), Cowboy Cal, and Eight Belles all across the board [to win, place, and to show]. I was my largest bet of the day, and rightly so. It was so exciting watching them paraded the horses out, played the reveille horn, and then the horses were in the gates, and finally... they were off! Zac was right when he told me that it is the most exciting 2 and a half minuets of all sports. Halfway into the race I determined that Z(ac's) Fortune was not going to be true for us and Cowboy Cal was not going to be any better. But my filly, Eight Belles was doing quite well. She was in the lead pack! She and Big Brown were in competition but then he broke away and left Eight Belles to settle with runner up. I could live that because I still had a profitable bet.
After the crowds cleared I cashed in my winning ticket, at that time I had no idea that they had put down my prize winning filly just moments earlier. It was later that night we heard Eight Belles's tragedy. I have teared up a few times thinking about it. She was my favorite pick, but of course every other female watching the race would say the same thing. It was the fellow sister empowering spirit that we all got from Eight Belles. And she was a powerful girl, she gave those boys a run for their money, literally. I know it is tragic how it ended but she died perusing a Thoroughbred's life goal but only few can achieve, running in the Derby, and not only that but she finished well. We decided to end the day with one more race. This time we made a joint bet, going in 50/50 on a ticket. But much like the trend of the day it was a zero cash in for us. All in all it was a great and memorial day for me. I was there for making of history; another Derby winner was determined. I saw an American land mark and made a check off the things that I want to do before I turn 35 list. So, what's next on my list? Spend time in Europe and win big at the Derby. Yes, that's right, I plan on going back!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Off to the Races
I never realized how much I have to prepare for vacations. Three weeks ago I started planning a trip the the Kentucky Derby. This is my first time to the Derby and I never realized how difficult it is to get you affairs in order. Aside from securing tickets and a place to stay I have been at the mall. I hate shopping (which is ironic given my career choice in retail buying). I have spent 2 weeks looking for the perfect dress and hat, and once they were finally found I realized that I needed the prefect bag and shoes to go with it. One thing that I learned from all this was that hats are expensive and finding white shoes is nearly impossible. But now I am finally ready! I am so exited for next week's trip. I'm also pumped for the new blog material that I will have.
Sadly, I have not been doing that well with up keeping my blog. I know its true, and a few of my friends have brought it to my attention as well. Bare with me, I'm new to this and also, I can be flaky at times.
One of the reasons that made me realized that I'm flaky is that I have been in Nashville for over a year and a half and I choose to miss out on all the fun things that this city has to offer. However this weekend I did go see the annual Music City Marathon for the first time. Oddly enough watching people run by can be quite exciting. When you are near the finish line you can see them perk up and finish strong, you just can't help but feel happy and excited for these strangers. The reason I decided to go was to cheer my boyfriend on. Now that he realized that I enjoyed watching the race so much that he wants me to run with him next year. Geeze! IF I decide to run I am going to need the full year to train. I don't remember the last time a ran a full mile and I don't know if I have the confidence to run 13! I guess we will have to find out.
Sadly, I have not been doing that well with up keeping my blog. I know its true, and a few of my friends have brought it to my attention as well. Bare with me, I'm new to this and also, I can be flaky at times.
One of the reasons that made me realized that I'm flaky is that I have been in Nashville for over a year and a half and I choose to miss out on all the fun things that this city has to offer. However this weekend I did go see the annual Music City Marathon for the first time. Oddly enough watching people run by can be quite exciting. When you are near the finish line you can see them perk up and finish strong, you just can't help but feel happy and excited for these strangers. The reason I decided to go was to cheer my boyfriend on. Now that he realized that I enjoyed watching the race so much that he wants me to run with him next year. Geeze! IF I decide to run I am going to need the full year to train. I don't remember the last time a ran a full mile and I don't know if I have the confidence to run 13! I guess we will have to find out.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
First time....
Lately I have been thinking that I should journal more, document everything and look back on what I was doing. But that was going to end up as one of those things that I add to my list, right behind "buy a house sometime soon" and "start saving money for buying a house." It was the idea to keep in touch with my friends that got me started with this blog thing. Also, I will have to give credit to my wonderful friends who inspired my blog title. I promise to proofread at lease once before posting. So here it goes.... Best Weekend Ever!!! Can I just say "WOW!!!"? It was just near perfect. Friday night I had an amazing date with my boyfriend at a nice restaurant, followed by drinks and a bar (which just so happens to be our 11th month anniversary, but we are eager optimists and we celebrated us dating for a full year). Saturday I got an great hair cut for only $15. Then I went out with my girlfriends that night. Sunday I slept in, had a picnic with 2 of my closest friends, took a bike ride, played a few matches of doubles tennis and then a movie. Hopefully these good time will carry over to tonight because my March Madness Champion pick is leading the final game 56-49 with less than 4 min on the board. I need Memphis to win just so my bracket won't look like a total failure. I mean, I picked Duke to the final four, that is embarrassing! But being cooped up indoors all winter and then going full force on the first nice spring day can really take its toll on your body in so many ways. My lack of butt fat had given me a sore tailbone from sitting on my bicycle. All of the muscles on the backside of my body are sore I can barely move. I look look like a plastic doll trying to walk.
Back to the basketball game; we are in overtime and I have teeth marks on the side of my hand. Apparently I'm a masochist biter when it's clench time. It's better than the screamer in the apartment below me, at least when I get worked up I'm the only one who suffers. (geeze lady, pipe down!)
okay...... wait for it.........c'mon Memphis.....why didn't Kansas play like this last year when I picked them to win......Those Kansas cheerleaders aren't really that cute.........oh my goodness, it's 10 till 11pm!.................game.......Kansas :(
Game's over, and now my boyfriend calls. Figures. :)
Back to the basketball game; we are in overtime and I have teeth marks on the side of my hand. Apparently I'm a masochist biter when it's clench time. It's better than the screamer in the apartment below me, at least when I get worked up I'm the only one who suffers. (geeze lady, pipe down!)
okay...... wait for it.........c'mon Memphis.....why didn't Kansas play like this last year when I picked them to win......Those Kansas cheerleaders aren't really that cute.........oh my goodness, it's 10 till 11pm!.................game.......Kansas :(
Game's over, and now my boyfriend calls. Figures. :)
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