Redemption!

I knew it wasn't just us who had to be fuming about the race snafu.

Seattle PI has a nice little article about it. (Thanks BigBro for sending).

Life's To Do List: Walk a Half Marathon - CHECK

Right. 90+ out today. Oh. My. Freakin'. God was it hot.

The Half Marathon didn't turn out quite like I had thought it would. In fact, I only walked 10 miles. If you can do math, you know that a half marathon is 13 miles. Let me start at the beginning.

The half marathon was to start at Husky Stadium. The "plan" was you were supposed to park at the finish line, and they were going to shuttle people to the starting line. Sherrie and I got to Bellevue early - within time to get on a shuttle and get to the finish line. There were about 100 or so people in line when they announced that the last shuttle had left. That we could either book across the lake to "maybe" get to the start OR we could wait an hour and they'd shuttle us to the second half of the marathon to walk. Ridiculous! The WHOLE reason we were walking in this darn thing was to walk across the floating bridge.

Blueberry got in the Stang and we flew. They had delayed the start of the race to be at 7:15AM. We got on the freeway at 7:10. We hit Husky Stadium at 7:22 - yah, I flew. We parked and ran to the starting line, just as they were closing it down. The race guy said, "You two are the last two...go." So we booked across the Montlake bridge to 520 Floating bridge. The best part, we had a police escort. They stayed about a car length behind us. We we were booking like I've never booked. Oh I forgot to say when we got in the Stang to head across to the stadium, I had to pee. Oh boy did I. When we got there they wouldn't let us. So the first 4 miles it was the thought of a honey bucket that kept me going.

Blueberry and I were hauling. My shin splints were on fire, my legs were hurting, but dammit we were walking across that damn bridge.

We hit mile 4 water hole - keep in mind we were dead last - and the line for the bathroom was 20 minute long. So I stood in line and stretched and got to pee.

Then we were off again. We were doing well. The heat was coming on, but I felt like I was hydrating well. Then it hit me, I hadn't had time to eat my breakfast. Oh god. But now I was so tired and hot, I couldn't even think about eating. And yet, I managed to choke down a half of a bagel.

We hit milepost 5 and 6 and were doing great. Hit mile post 7 and that was the breast cancer supporting milepost, so we stopped to take a photo. Then we were on. Just past this awesome mile we hit THE HILL FROM HELL. I was going to take it slow no matter what. And suddenly we looked behind us and there were three people and that stalker the police car. Half way up this 1/2 mile hill, I stopped to take a breather. I bent down to put my hands on my knees and I felt my eyes roll back into my head and felt like I was going to pass out. Started waving back and forth and some how managed to stay on two feet. We get to the top of this flippin' hill and the police are behind us and these three other people. The three people consisted of a 76 year old, a 68 year old and a woman who was about 60 I would guess. Fantastic people. They were so friendly and so fun to walk with. And the more we walked the more pissed we got that we were being rushed by the police. According to Seafair we had the course until 1pm and it was only 10:30 ish. We had plenty of time. Jerks!

Then we hit mile 8. At mile 8 my right thigh muscle knotted up and cramped like I've never felt anything cramp before. My god. I couldn't barely stand on the damn thing. So I hopped in the back of the Seafair car and stretched it out. The cops had given up on us and we were only be followed by the official seafair car. I sat in the car for a mile or so when we came head to head to a truck picking up the cones that marked the route. WHAT! It wasn't even 11 am yet and they were picking up the cones. So I hopped out of the car and started walking with the 3 folks we had been with from like mile 6. Then we realized we had no idea where the hell we were going.

Oh and what about Blueberry? When I hopped in the car, she put herself into high gear and took off. Our plan was to meet at the finish line.

So I hopped out and walked a mile to the park which was where we started the morning. We had no idea where the route went so we couldn't go any further. We decided to walk across the park to the finish line anyhow. F*uck em was our attitude. The one lady was fired up. We were both pissed that they had screwed up the race from the first thing this morning. When we started we were effectively 30 minutes behind the ENTIRE race.

We walked across the park and through the finish line. Then I stood there and waited about 15 minutes for Blueberry to walk through. So while I didn't walk all 13 miles and ended up only walking 10.2 or so, I still felt like I had achieved a half marathon. Had they not screwed it up in the beginning I totally would have walked the whole way. But the combination of 1) no breakfast, 2) starting 30 minutes late 3) waiting 20 minutes for a bathroom and 4) walking faster than ever the first 4 miles...I totally would have made it.

Oh but the best part, by the time we crossed the finish line, they were out of medals! Ugh! So Seafair will be sending us our medals, and I will be sending Seafair a piece of my mind in the form of a letter.

Look all around, there's nothin' but blue skies

Hello my lovelies. Miss me? I've been ever so (read: not) busy that I've just simply not had time to sit and blog. Oh, okay. You got me. I've not been busy. I've just been lost in depression of a certain band who's determined to ruin my stalk reputation.

Shortly after posting that said band has unceremoniously fired their lead singer (who I had a wee crush on) I determine then I must focus my "crush" energy on another member of the band. But who? Who will be the lucky lad? I decide the lead guitarist. He seems the friendliest and the one I've actually spoke words too instead of drooling and babbling over. So there. Decision made. THEN I find out he got married. My life has been in a tailspin ever since. I have no place to focus the jenn crush energy. It's just hanging above me like a depressed grey cloud.

But here it is Friday. The skies are clear and blue. The sun is shining. It's damn hot outside and promises to get hotter this weekend, so I can't even manage a depressed feeling in my body.

Yay!

This week has been s-l-o-w at work. Things are winding down for the end of fiscal year at the large software company we support, so things for us are slow. Which for the "Miss Organization" personality to finally make an appearance. So this week I've been cleaning out files, updating much needed project plans (note: not project schedules. Everyone calls project schedules "plans" and it bugs the sh*t out of me), filing, deleting emails, etc. Overall quite productive. None of it chargeable, but productive.

This weekend is the half marathon. Funny, I wasn't at all worried about this 13 mile trek through the streets of Bellevue - across on of our famous floating bridges - and ending at Husky Stadium - UNTIL....I saw the weather report. Oh my giddy aunt. It's going to be 90 flippin' degrees on Sunday. You laugh! But 90 while sitting by a pool sipping a beverage is just great. 90 walking 13 miles isn't so great. If you recall, last time I walked in such weather I almost killed myself by not hydrating enough. So yes, I learned from that stupid mistake. I've been pounding water for two days now. AND I plan on carbing up Saturday night. The plan is to hit the pavement fast and hard for the first 6 or so miles. Then we can slow down some once we change our sockey-s and walk on home. Blueberry will be walking with me. BeagleBabe got a new job and stopped training so I was left to walk alone...then I thought Blue - who had to walk this weekend anyhow - would want to do it. Indeed she did.

But before I go, I've been remiss in sending out a few shout outs to recent donors. I'm at $3,400 - if you can believe it! None of it would be possible without several folks who read this blog.

So....

PM GODDESS! Thanks! I promise next time your in town to take you for a cosmo.

Ritzeville Rita! God Bless. It wa not only GREAT to see you and your family, but thank you soooo much for your donation.

Wish me luck. And HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE!

The Boys are back in town...sorta!

You don't recognize them do you? Well, No you wouldn't. But that there are my boys at DMQ. I, they're main stalker, didn't recognize them. It was a sad sad day for me yesterday when I realized the front guy had been fired. So sad. Then to find out the keyboardist had quit! Man, no wonder these boys hadn't been around lately.

They do still have that DMQ sound, as the video suggests - did you notice the HOT babe at the end of the video. Yah, that hotness... me! And that bright light on my face? The sun! I know! Sun in Seattle. No way! But it's true. I have proof.

Sorry I posted that before it's time. I wanted to be sure you all got a good glimpse of the HOT chick at the end of the video... So here's a photo just in case you missed. it.

Stop staring at my beers!

The party going on behind me was a 35th Anniversary for Ray's Boathouse. An icon on the Seattle waterfront (well north of the waterfront). The sun was shining, the wind was blowing, but we didn't care. It was free food and drink all night long. The food was spectacular. I've never seen such an outstanding display of delicious food - well for free anyhow.

So the quote of the night came from HikerGirl. I can't set it up for you because out of context is much funnier.

HikerGirl: "I'm surprised I can hold something in my mouth that long without swallowing."

Thoughts as the Day Goes By

I've been accused of getting random songs stuck in my head for no apparent reason. Well, okay so it happens. I admit it. I can't control it. But I noticed today all the random thoughts that pass through my mind. And lucky you, I decided to share them with you. Now it should be stated these aren't the ONLY thoughts that passed by, just the random ones. And I could explain why they were random at the time, but that's too much work.

And so in no particular order, here's a few nuggets.

Shake'NBake - Who buys this stuff? Oh, I do. For some ungodly known reason I bought ShakeNBake. Now being a amateur chef (in my own mind anyhow) I couldn't understand why this was in my cabinet. Ick, BTW. I cooked it today and ICK.

Must Love Dogs - I think I need to watch this movie again. There's something about the chemistry with John Cusak and the woman - who I can't remember. It seems that suddenly my helpless romantic side feels the need to watch a romantic comedy.

Straws are underrated - I really think straws aren't used enough at home anymore. I bought a bag of straws a couple weeks ago for some reason - probably the same shopping trip I bought the Shake'N Bake.

Green - I need more green in my closet.

Purses - What purse should I bring for the DMQ show tomorrow? I should have bought that little purse on the rack in Florida.

Junk Mail - If I were to shred all the junk mail I get in my ever so small mailbox, I wonder how many days it would take to fill up the shredder?

Monkey's are scary little creatures.

Maybe instead of a new BBQ I should buy and indoor grill. Wait! I already have an indoor grill. Where is that grill?

One's perception (is that even a word) may be the most annoying aspect of my life at the moment. How do you change a perception? Do I want to?

A brownie sounds good right now.

Then a somewhat normal thought hit me, that's going to cause me to do some deep diving into the soul, "Am I leaving a mark in life?"

My head hurts!

Whole Lot of Naked Going On

This weekend, so far, has been a good one. I so needed a fun weekend.

Friday night, Saving Second Base walked 7ish miles. I need to get back caught up with the team who managed to walk 36 miles in one weekend without me. Which is good for them because I would have definitely held them back considering my foot "issue". So yay team. Fundraising wise, we raised our team goal to $15,000 and I have no doubt we'll make it. Blueberry was rather excited on Friday because she finally passed me in fundraising. She's around $3500, I'm around $3400 and BigBro (who will surpass us both I'm sure) $2700. Blue and BigBro walked in the Race for the Cure yesterday. It's a meesley 5K walk - but took them about 2 hours because of all the people.

Why wasn't I walking? Well its two fold. One, I get all anxious around large crowds of people and the walk goes across a very scary viaduct that I'm sure is going to collapse while walking.

Instead myself and a companion from the PhotoGods - Mr. Volleyball, went to the Seattle Solstice parade for our monthly photography adventure. We were planning sunsets lighting this month, but in Seattle the sun doesn't actually set until 9:30 ish. Too late for this girl. So Mr. Volleyball and I decided the parade was a an excellent opportunity to photograph people.

This parade is legendary in Seattle. Historically, its a naked parade. It allows all types to display themselves if so desired. Most naked is painted though so it's not as scary as one might think. In fact their website describes it the best: "unparalleled demonstration of free speech, creativity, art and community, we cast a spell of joy, hope and rebirth that spreads from Fremont to the entire universe." But let me tell you, birthday suits for some should stay well hung in the closet.

I took some fantastic photos. I not very good at taking people photos because I frequently feel like I'm intruding on them. But with a 200mm lens it helped me take photos from afar. Well, that and most people want their photo taken at this parade. Check out all my photos by clicking here. They do not disappoint I guarantee. But never fear, hear are a couple of my favorites.

This little player thing was just sitting there asking to have it's picture taken. I really like the way this one turned out. I'd like to say it was planned, but I think this one was one of those "quick" shots.I took several photos of this guy from the front, but I remembered a trick from my days in Europe where you were taught to always look up to see the masterpiece. I figured the fronts of a lot of these people were spectacular, but their backs could be as well. This one, like the other, really was an accident. He was sitting under a tree and the lighting turned out just perfect.

This little clown was just a happy little guy. He had a flower pin on him that shot water and he thought it was just hilarious. Mr. Volleyball asked this little guy to shoot off his pin again and he was all too willing.

It's the Incredible Hulk

And Mr. Blue Jeans!

So check out the rest. It's a collection of photos I'm very proud of.

Then last night I finally got to the theater, forked over one arm and one leg, and got to see Sex in the City. Oh.My.God Mr. Big is all that and a slice of bread. Despite his assh*leness...he's a hunk and a half.

I've managed to come down with one fantastic cold. I hate being sick. It slows me down. And this coming week I get to see my boys ... finally. And cold or not, I will not miss this concert. It is on a school night so I hope I can stay awake.

Where has the man gone?

My parents have been here the last week and it’s been a difficult one at that. See my dad has Alzeimer's and it's gaining on him it seems. Each time I see him, he has slipped further into his own mind and has become this person of whom I no longer recognize. I miss the man he once was. I miss the man who was generous, caring, considerate and above all loving. He’s been replaced, at least mentally, with a man who has no consideration for anybody or anything, who is rude and demeaning, and forgets simple details within minutes of hearing them. Then gets mad when you say, "I just told you."

I know the brain that now controls my dad isn't my dad. I know that. Logically! I know that. But what makes it so hard is to SEE the man who is your dad, and trying to reconcile with the fact that behind those beautiful brown eyes that once twinkled with a vibrant life, now lives a different person, no twinkle, no life. I wonder, all too frequently, if he ever gets a glimpse of his former self. Or if he sees and recognizes the person he becomes and gets scared knowing he can’t control anything? I wonder how frustrating it might be for him to know, perhaps, that he’s not the man he once was, but still wants to be. I miss that man.

I sometime sit and watch him and feel sad for the things in my life he will miss out on. If he is alive to walk me down the aisle, will he remember? Will he want to? Will he even know who I am?

I did well this trip to not take his bait to argue. See early stages of this disease makes them argumentative. It is one of the most difficult things for me, because I love to argue. But arguing with him is useless. His logic is generally off, and he has no respect for any truthful information of fact. If he doesn't believe it, then it isn't so. Dad and I used to discuss things like politics, religion, races, etc and while he frequently didn't agree with me, he respected my opinions. His responses are so matter of fact, and are often delivered in a “thou shalt not argue” tone of voice. He shuts you down and won’t even listen to reason or your opinion.

So, I miss him. But as long as the "man" is with us, I'm going to do my best to practice patience with him.

In other news, I made a KICKASS stroganoff tonight. I do love me some good stroganoff.

All Grown Up! I really wanna shout it out!

It seems impossible that Friday night I sat and watched as yet another niece graduated from high school. It seems like just yesterday she was born and we had a small, little baby to play with and make ridiculous cooing sounds to. And yet, here she is today, a young woman ready to set out on her own journey. How I remember that time in my life.

It was the time of life where you knew everything, and yet you were scared to death that you would make a wrong decision and end up a loser at your 5 year reunion. It was the time of life where anything seemed possible. Where you feel like you could be anything you wanted to be, and you knew, just knew, that you were on the road to greatness. You had no real idea what the world was like, nor did you care. You figured you'd learn as you go. You expected things to come somewhat easy to you, since they always did. You could feel the power of growth. That very moment you took the diploma (or cardboard plaque that was to hold your diploma) in your hand, you knew you were on your way.

I thought back to my graduation some 21 years ago and about how things have changed ever so slightly. My final years in high school were, I'm sure, unlike most high school years in a public school. Just about everyone in our class was moving on to college. There didn't seem to be an option really, it was just what your next step would be. Some didn't make it all the way through, some flew through and never looked back. But I remember thinking that finally, I was an adult. Turning 18 didn't make me feel like an adult, but somehow graduating from high school meant that I could now sit at the adult table at Thanksgiving or Christmas (I'd later realize the kids table was way more fun and would want to go back to it). I was confident that college would be fun and "easy", but at the same time I was moving from a 57 member class to a class of thousands. I worried about fitting in. When the reality was, no buddy really cared in college. You made your own group of friends and that was really all you cared about.

I'm proud of SportyNiece for graduating and making it through high school in a time when stability wasn't something you knew or expected. I can tell you though, you couldn't pay me enough to go back to high school these days. No way. No how. I'd never make it. SportyNiece's future is yet to be determined. She's thinking Army reserves, for potentially becoming a Nurse. I say go for it. What better way to get your education than to let the military pay for it. Granted I'm not all that happy of where she may be shipped off to, but military would be good for her.

The rest of the weekend was party central at BigBro's abode. Graduation party for SportyNiece on Saturday and Father's Day party on Sunday. I'm pooped. And all I did was attend these parties.

S.H.I.T Day - Sure Happy It's Thursday!

So today is going relatively well. I've only wanted to kill a certain co-worker twice. Thankfully he's off at training at this minute or I'd likely be being hauled away in handcuffs for assault! And no, it's not Skippy - for a change.

Patron Saint has a meme tag on her blog and I thought it would be fun to do.

1) What were you doing 10 years ago?
I can barely remember what I did yesterday, so 10 years is going to be a struggle. Let's see that would make it 1998, right? That means about this time I was getting riffed (laid-off / fired depending on who you ask) at Geeksoft and sitting alone in my apt wondering if McDonald's was hiring. That was a sucky summer. My self-esteem was in the toilet, I had a horrible roommate that I just moved in with, and I was quickly going to be broke. BUT, shortly following my pity party I was hired as a contract employee back at Geeksoft. AND I think that was when I met one of the Mike's in my life that I was then attracted to and destined to have a broken heart over. Good times. I'm glad that's over.

2) What are 5 things on your to-do list today?
Only 5, hmmm. Well, getting up and getting to work wasn't really on my "list" of things to do today, but I feel very accomplished that I did in fact make it in. Other items include: writing 2 project plans (my favorite), completing my already late month end report (another "oh joy" favorite), attempting to build a project schedule in an almost impossible timeframe, and have lunch. I should mention that on my daily list is "go to Starbucks" and that one I can say has been checked off.

3) List some snacks you enjoy:
Does coffee count as a "snack"? If not, I love pretzels. Low in fat, high in sodium usually. I do like to get my not so good for me snacks on too. I'd like to change that, but have been bad at planning. My snack food mostly consists of chip like items, with a few, very few, vegetables mixed in.

4) What would you do with a billion dollars?
Wow. A billion dollars. I'd definitely quit my job. And I'd definitely travel. Perhaps even purchasing my very own airplane so I could travel in style. I think I'd pay the ParentalUnits back any "so called" money I still owe them. I'd buy a house, well, and a hanger to house the plan in. Realistically, if I had money that I could toss to the wind, I'd seriously consider opening a coffee shop on some trendy street here in Seattle. Oooo and I'd buy real Prada hand bags. I might even donate a few million to my favorite charities.

5) List the places you have lived:
You'd better go get a snack. It might be easier to list where I haven't lived.
Houston, TX
Albuquerque, NM
Minot, ND
Trenton, NJ (I think Trenton - I was too young to really know)
Great Falls, MT
Lancaster, CA
Lugano Switzerland
Guadalajara Mexico
Riyadh Saudi Arabia
Pullman, WA
Kirkland, WA
Renton, WA - couple different times/places
Kent, WA
Bellevue, WA - couple different times/places
Redmond, WA
And most recently, Lynnwood, WA

6) List the jobs you've had:
Barista, house cleaner, secretary, marketing coordinator, assistant account manager, resource coordinator, deli clerk (college), front desk receptionist (college), scrapbook store sales person (two different stores), international customer service, subsidiary liaison, customer experience manager, program administrator, channel mgmt project manager, and finally Project Management Goddess! I think I need to retire.

okay, now back to being a PM Goddess.

Traffic Jam of the Brain...Makes me want to Scream and Shout

Well, I'm officially back in Seattle. I'm "unofficially" back in Seattle - if you know what I mean. My brain seems full and is bulging at the seams. While I like being on vacation, and away from work, but man it sure is a lot more work when you get back.

My work and personal email is at an all time high. If you've sent me an email, expect a response by 2010.

The flight home was relatively uneventful. I was at the airport early - as usual - for my 7:30 AM flight out only to find out they moved the flight to 8:30AM. So I did what any normal, warm blooded, traveling princess would do, I found a Starbucks. My first cup of "real" coffee in as many days. Oh it tasted good.

I checked in, managed my way through a frighteningly quick security check point, and voila - another Starbucks. Well, don't mind if I do. Grande Vanilla Americano with Extra Room - part two.

But I wasn't done yet. In fact, at the point when I reached Denver and located a Starbucks almost immediately, I started thinking I might, just maybe, be addicted to Starbucks coffee. Maybe. There's a chance. I'm just sayin.

As I said, it sure feels good to be home. No matter how nice it is to go away for a bit, it sure is nice to come home. I've heard nothing but lip from the feline that resides here. You'd think he was left for weeks without food or water. Brat.

I was talked into seeing the worlds dumbest movie yesterday. The new Indiana Jones movie - my god - don't waste your time. While I was a big Indy fan, I looked forward to seeing this movie. But was sadly disappointed. No plot. Harrison might be just a bit too old now to play such a character. And the ridiculously outlandish things that took place in this film. Yes, I realize it's a movie, but at least make it some what real. If you haven't seen it yet, I would say, save your money. Go buy some coffee or something.

The ParentalUnits come in tomorrow. They'll be here a week or so for doctor visits and my niece's high school graduation. Hard to believe she's graduating since it was just yesterday she was born.

And just because you asked nice, the first Orlando photos (well the second) have been posted. Kennedy Space Center photos. Enjoy. Already posted were my "photography" photos.

I can't feel my face - Part DERRRR

Right, so you'd think I'd learn. But no...I try to keep up with UK Bloke #2 and his drinking fetish, and big shock, but I can't. OMG. The final night in the Land of Or and my face has mysteriously is numb again. I'm beginning to think it's something in the water - or gin. I can't quite tell which.

The show is done. At least for me. Next week a new, fresh set of people arrive to make the same bloody mistakes I've made this week. The food, the parties, the numb face...You'd think we'd learn. But them folks at Geeksoft can surely throw a party.

Last night was the "official" party for all attendees and staff folk like myself. Geeksoft rented Universal Studios and basically shut it down after hours so we could enjoy ourselves. I marveled at the expense the must go to just for the sake of entertaining us and their way of saying thank you. Upon entering the half empty park you are swarmed by people offering their goods. Not those goods, sheesh. I mean food. By the time we were just 20 steps in we were offered GYNORMOUS turkey legs, bags of chips, cotton candy, M&Ms, beer, wine, you name it, it was offered up. We, naturally felt obliged to take part. Our first stop, however was the VIP showing of T2 in 3D. Little did we know - or rather that we didn't read the invite - that it was an award ceremony for people we didn't know and could care less about. We it was free food and free drink. We couldn't say no.

After those festivities, we wondered the park with 6,000 of our closest friends. The main attraction, The New Simpson's Ride. First let me state, NOT a ride for kids. And second, WHAT A BLAST! It was awesome. But the best ride of the whole night was the MIB (that's Men In Black for those of you not in the know) - it's a ride that allows, you, the passenger to shoot aliens. Naturally the Pointy Head Boss who was sitting next to me was an alien, I had to fire. I got no points for that though. I felt quite smug exiting the ride seeing my score of 83,789, only to have my excitement dashed by UK Bloke #2 who had well over 150K. Kids!

Tonight we managed to - er um - stay relatively sober. Okay so not really, but I wanted to. My flight is at O dark Thirty tomorrow and the last thing I need is a hang over. But Bloke #2 - I admit I gave into peer pressure. He kept calling me a light weight. I couldn't say no. In my younger years, though, as Blueberry and any other college friends who might read this blog, could contest, I would have drank him into a stuper. But now, not so much.

And with that, I bid you farewell from the Land of Or. I'm pooped. I'm in serious need of a Starbucks and I can't wait to feel my face again.

That's a whole new stack of Monkeys

So the show is moving along. Nothing overly exciting to speak of other than my feet hurt. Which is really nothing new. Tradeshows are fun to me - mostly - but this one seems to be dull dull dull. The participants aren't really the folks we need to be talking to for our service, as they aren't decision makers. But we're talking anyhow and have found some great leads that will hopefully pay for us being down her drinking.

One thing I can say about Geeksoft tradeshows is they sure know how to do them up right. The after hour parties are so much fun. We had two such parties we had to attend last night. Yes I said "had" to. What? They twisted my arm. I, being the good workaholic, wanted to stay in my room and respond to the hundreds of emails that have now managed to clog my inbox, but noooo they demanded I go out. So what's a girl to do? I had to oblige.

We started at TGIFriday's for a team we've done work with. UK Bloke #1, The Pointed Head Boss and I sat in a room full of architects and ate appetizers and drank beer. Not so exciting. We mingled and ran into our "client" who promptly dismissed us and moved on to another group of folks. So we headed out to party #2 - which proved to be much more exciting.

UK Bloke #2 and Creed met us at this club. The bar was open - free drinks, the food was passed by staff, the music was pumping, and it was freaking hotter than hell outside. But we didn't seem to care. The bar tender at the bar we planted our selves at -which at first didn't make sense to me that we'd sit there - until I saw the "girls". Yah, I asked each man that was with us if they could tell me the color of this chicks eyes. The blank stares I got back were priceless. This girl was L.O.A.D.E.D with some big guns. Not real of course, but UK Bloke #2 - mid 20's - didn't care at all. But this bar tender said to me when I ordered my cosmopolitan "I make mine with cranberry juice - is that okay?" Erm....cosmos have cranberry juice in every single one I've tasted. But whatever. I said sure I sure I'd try something new. "Amber" (that's what I called her because I was sure if we put a poll in the middle of the bar she'd hop on it and show us her "other" talent.) dropped a drink in front of me that was weak but tasty.

Speaking of Amber, the best quote of the night came from Creed. Amber dropped by and asked how we liked the food. I told her to help herself to a nibble (which got laughs from UK Bloke #2) and she responded by saying if she ate that piece of chicken that we'd see her stomach in this tight shirt she was wearing. Creed pipes up and says, "Honey, it's not your stomach these guys are looking at." Classic.

So why a whole new stack of monkeys? Well, the most annoying and most popular give away at the show thus far are these freaking flying monkeys. I've got two now to bring back and annoy Sales with. If you click on the link you'll see how annoying the sound is.

Well, I'm off to another fun filled day of standing, looking gorgeous in a 10X10 booth. Later I'll chat about the "Booth Babes" next door.

I can't feel my face

OMG...I can't feel my face. I can barely type and see straight. What started out as a simple dinner has ended up with me not being able to feel my face.

I'm drunk. And instead of drunk dailin, I'm drunk blogging. Trouble. Serious trouble. I'm gonna be hurtin tomorrow. I hooked up with our UK folk and well, here I am at almost midnight and I can't feel my face. We started at Capital Grill with champagne...not my normal drink, but OMG so good. Then we had a fantastic bottle of wine. Followed by an after dinner drink, and then a drinks at Tommy Bahamas for a some sort or other popsicle martini thingy ma bob. Either way, I'm toast. Three of them at Tommy's ... we taxi'd our way to the hotel only to find our the hotel bar was closed. Bugger.

We had three drinks there, martini's I might add. And consequently -which I'm surprised I can spell - I'm hammered. Wait I already said that.

Tomorrow we set up shop at TechEd and oh. dear. god...if tonight is any indication of how the week is going to go...I'm in trouble. Big drunkin trouble.

Drunk in Orlando - over and out.