Don't Blink...

Or life might really pass you by. The older I get, the more I long for those summer vacations I had when I was a kid. You know what I'm talking about, the 3 months of pure bliss.

If you haven't already noticed, I've traveled a lot this year. And I have a few more trips to add to the list. But before we go forward, let's go back, so maybe I can remember what I've actually done, cause it's all starting to run together.

January: I don't think I went anywhere, but some memorable moments -- the Baller Vols took down the Kansas Jayhawks...little did we know how far those Baller Vols would go.

Oh, and Kenny Chesney's tickets went on sale. I blame this for my action-packed summer.

February: Must have been a lazy month

March: Ventured up to Bristol for the NASCAR race...Jr didn't win (shocker)

April: Uncle Kraker & Rehab came to town, I got tickets hoping that KC would show up, since he was in town for the premier of his Summer in 3D. Needless to say, he didn't show.

The Derek Dooley Era began with the Orange & White Game. The alumni flag football game at the half was the best part. Peerless Price still has it and boy, do I miss Al Wilson. Truth be told, I did shed a tear when he was introduced to the crowd.

Headed to Vegas for trip #1, but Gramps had some health issues that made for a stressful trip. Thankfully, he's fully recovered now!!

Tim McGraw & Lady Antebellum came to town as well. Thanks to Jenn we had amazing floor seats...the concert was awesome, by the way.

May: Made a quick trip to Nashville to visit the folks....then headed down to Chattanooga for a Lookouts game with my company.

Vegas trip #2 was for Kenny Chesney @ the Joint at the Hard Rock.

June: Quick trip to the ATL for a baby shower

July: KEY WEST

Vegas #3 for the family reunion

August: Back to Bristol for the races

September: Football time in Tennessee

October: Off to Orlando for a weekend to see if I can enroll at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

November: Vegas #4, this was a last minute decision. My mom is having a high school reunion (yes, a lot of Hawaii high schools have reunions in Vegas) and my grandparents are going too...my mom basically laid the guilt trip on me...but it didn't take much.

Nashville for Thanksgiving...wonder if Margaritaville Nashville will be open by then?

December: Hopefully I'll get to spend a week with Bristol Peyton & the family for Christmas...haven't requested that time off yet.

Whew....I think I need a juice box & a nap after that recap!!

2011 and beyond...

As you can see, I travel to the same places...I need to expand my horizons. I also need to visit some old friends I haven't seen in years.

Hawaii & Oregon are atop my future travels list.

Chicago is not far behind. My dear friend, Joel, has been living there since we've graduated high school & I haven't been up to visit...I'm such a bad friend.

I can hear NYC calling my name...and I'm always up for a return trip to DC.

I still want to use my passport...haven't used it since high school...I've always wanted to go to Italy and Greece. I also want to hug a penguin and if I do that, that means I'll get to visit Antarctica...but sadly, I don't have $20K to toss around like that.

Can't wait to see where my future travels take me...

Pete's Coffee Shop

One of my favorite breakfast & lunch spots in downtown Knoxville is Pete's Coffee Shop.

I was recently made aware of a little secret...Pete and one of the current servers, Sharee had a cameo in Alan Jackson's "Gone Country" music video. Sharee makes her appearance around the 1:47 mark and Pete appears soon after. It's a riot!

Pinky & the Brain

I'm not quite sure how the nicknames started, but I just wanted to clarify who was who. This post will probably only make sense to a handful of people, but that's OK.

It all starts with my friend David. Wait, I have to be more specific since there are like a million "David's" I know....we'll call this one Guinn. Well, Guinn & I have know each other for years...he's actually married to one of my very good friends. And today happens to be their anniversary...Happy Anniversary Guinn's!!

Back to the point...Guinn and I have had nicknames for each other for what seems like forever. We also seem to share a brain when it comes to all things pop culture. And sometimes fashion, we have a thing for Margaritaville & Reef's...I won't even tell the story about the time we actually wore matching outfits in public!!

He calls me "Mini-Me"...I call him "Plucky"...but we seem to fight over "Pinky & the Brain".

I think I'm the Brain, but so does he. Come on, how can I not be the Brain? Not only am I the short & stumpy one...I often plot world domination. Guinn on the other hand, is tall & skinny...not to mention accident prone. It just fits.

The Original Pinky & the Brain

The Brain & Pinky invade Key West...

Oh, one final reason why I'm the Brain...I'm a Vols fan....Guinn's a Bama fan...makes sense, right?

On a Hallowed Hill In Tennessee

It's still weird for me to think of my self as an "alumni" from the University of Tennessee. It seems like yesterday I was hiking to a math class in Ayers Hall or sitting in Glocker and willing the minutes to pass quickly.

I often tell myself I'd jump at the chance to go back to college, if I didn't have to do the whole "school" part again.

I got an e-mail last week, informing me there will be a "2010 Welcome Back BBQ", sponsored by the Knox County Alumni Chapter.

This event will take place on Wednesday, August 18th in Thompson-Boling Arena. I wonder if Smokey will be there? I've run across traffic in downtown to pet him and I'm not ashamed to admit it!

Hope to see you there!

My Current Obsession

Yes, cupcakes are my current obsession & I have no idea why...but how cute are these beanies? Apparently these are Neff Cupcake Beanies...don't be shocked if you see a strawberry cupcake on my head this winter!

The Mad Hatter

SEC Media Days have come to a close...sad times since we have to wait till September for kick-off. But have no fear, there is one thing that will entertain and help pass the time.

The lovely website, "The Quotable Les Miles". I was introduced to this by my co-worker, who happens to be an LSU fan. We'll call this co-worker "Tuck".

About a month ago things started to slow down at the office and we needed something to help pass the time...enter the Hat.

Every time I click on a new quote I keep thinking, "thank goodness he's not my coach..."

Sorry Tuck, but thanks for being a good sport!

Great Tennessee Valley Rubber Duck Race

It's almost time for the Great Tennessee Valley Rubber Duck Race which benefits the Boys & Girls Club of East Tennessee.

The mission of the Boys & Girls Club is a simple one:

"To provide comprehensive, seamless, learning-based programs and services in the most professional, integrated manner possible to children and their families. To offer programs in the areas of education, the environment, health, the arts, careers, alcohol/drug and pregnancy prevention, gang prevention, leadership development and athletics."

The Club was founded in 1943 and currently serve nearly 6,000 members in 15 facilities in Knox, Blount, Loudon & North Anderson Counties.

This is the second year I'll be helping my company with duck adoptions. If any of you are interested, let me know. It's only $5 to adopt a duck.

For those of you outside the Knoxville area that interested in duck adoption, you can click here or more information.

The race will be held on Saturday, August 21st at Volunteer Landing.

I love this camo duck

I Wanna Do It All

I found my next dream vacation destination. Growing up in Hawaii, I took the beach & the island style for granted. That's not the case anymore, I'd give nothing more than to have my toes in the sand and see crystal blue water on a daily basis.

Sometime, before I'm too old to enjoy it...I want to see French Polynesia...the Marquesas Islands, Tahiti, Moorea or Bora Bora. I won't be picky.

Come on, how cool would it be to sleep in an over water bungalow?

Hit Predictor

I you like like music & free stuff...I'd check out the Hit Predictor website:

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I can't tell you how many CD's & DVD's I've picked up via this website. I got the sixth season of Entourage 2 weeks ago.

Join Me at HitPredictor.com

Shop till you drop...

Looks like it's almost time for another Sales Tax Holiday in Tennessee. A few years ago we had 2...one in the spring & one in the fall. I think I can hold off on the shopping for a few weeks.

Per the Department of Revenue website, August 6-8 will be a tax free weekend....I sense a trip to Five Oaks in the near future.

Maxims

In less than 2 months, it will be football time in Tennessee again....while our program has gone through its up's and down's the past few years, one thing remains...General Neyland's Game Maxims.

I hear the Maxims didn't make it to road games last season...not cool.

Yes, I fully supported He Who Shall Not Be Named. Oops, we all make mistakes....but I'm happy he took his dream job at the University of Sanctioned Crooks....I'll take my chances with Coach Dooley, thanks!!

#1 he wears orange

#2 he sounds like he belongs in the SEC

#3 he eats at Pete's

See you in Neyland...Go Vols!!

Hemingway's Whiskey

Finally, a new Kenny Chesney album will drop in September....September 28th to be exact. I'm already in love with the first single..."The Boys of Fall".

Um, what's not to like...it's Kenny singing about football :)

I felt like Clark W. Griswold

My summer vacation is officially over. I just got back from my family reunion in Las Vegas. I love my family, but I swear we're the Asian version of the Griswold's! And yes, we have a Cousin Eddie, but he's not like that Cousin Eddie!!

I'm running out of things to photograph in Sin City, but I had to snap a few classic one's.

I feel like the Griswold's would shop here

Where Clark & Ellen renewed their vows

I didn't see a Dodge Viper, Ford Mustang, Hummer or Ford Aspire

I went back to Gold & Silver Pawn in hopes of seeing Chumlee or the Old Man

Maps of Iwo Jima...the Old Man wanted them & they're not for sale

The Old Man bought these 2 for $500...now they're selling for $500 each

I have no idea why this is $45 or who would pay that much....I didn't see anything special

"Beyond Paradise" by Peter Lik

I seriously could have sold my old phone

random downtown Vegas art

Biggest disappointment of the trip....the lack of cupcakes @ Serendipity 3. You hype the new menu items on twitter...but when I show up, you're out of them? How does that make sense?

But the desserts made up for the cupcake issue.

Mom & Gramma split an apple cobbler

The frozen hot chocolate was all mine

There and Back Again...

My epic summer vacation has come to a close...but not without issue. I should have been home last night, but thanks to American Airlines and their limited flight schedule & mechanical problems I was forced to spend the night in Dallas.

I'm not as upset as I was 24 hours ago, but I'm not happy that I had to miss a day of work today. My PTO days are precious and I don't like to waste them.

My adventure in Dallas was not all that horrible. Since it was their fault, American Airlines put me up in a hotel & gave me food vouchers. I could have spent the night in the airport & paid for food out of pocket...no thanks!

Here's one thing I will never understand, why do people have to yell and get mad at the desk agents. It's not their fault the plane was delayed or cancelled. There was a woman next to me in line, with a similar situation. She had just missed her connecting flight to Ft. Wayne, IN. Like me, there were no other connections till this morning. She went on this massive rant and the desk agent remained calm and tried to offer her a hotel & food vouchers. She refused and said, "I'll just stay here!"

I felt bad for the desk agent, but what can you do, some people think that by throwing a fit something will change.

I know some of my friends have had issues with Delta, I've had them too...but in the future, I'm going to book all of my trips with them, since I know they have multiple flights to and from Knoxville & worse case, I can rent a car and drive home.

It would be great if Allegiant or Air Tran would start direct flights to Vegas. It would make my life so much easier!!

Mile Marker 0

And just like that, my vacation to the Southern Most Point on the Continental US is over...but it is one I'll never forget.

It all started on the 4th of July when Jessica, David & I flew down to Orlando to meet up with Allyson & Dave. They picked us up from the airport and we headed to Miami. This was the first time I drove down the Florida Turnpike and was introduced to "Service Plazas" that can be found every few miles. I don't even know how to describe these service plazas....they're basically gas stations with a food court. We stopped a one to grab a quick meal...wow...just wow...let's just say those KFC workers weren't too concerned about customer service. Good thing the service improved as the trip went on.

On Monday the 5th, we packed up again to start our drive South....our goal was to drive till the road ended. But, we had to make quick stop in South Beach. And what's a stop in South Beach without a stop at Nikki Beach?!

We made it to Key West by early evening and headed down to Duval Street for drinks & some food. We called a cab so we wouldn't have to worry about finding parking...or driving...as they have an open container law here....but I digress...the cab arrives, but it's an Escape, so I don't know how they expected to fit 5 people. So, Guinn, Ally, Jessica & myself jump in the backseat...well, 3 of us get in, but Jessica took a bit longer and before she's in the backseat, the driver takes off...so there she is, holding on to the door & hopping along side. We're screaming at the driver to stop...and when he does, she's able to get to begin our adventure. Thankfully she was not injured.

Remember my comment about bad service...well we hit up Sloppy Joe's for dinner & drinks...we find a 5 top and sit down...we sit there for what seems like forever and our server is no where to be found. Several other server's tell us she's on her way...but nothing...finally our actual server comes up to say that she'll be back for our orders in a bit....well that bit comes & goes...finally Dave goes up to the bar to get us drinks so we could bounce. We like to call Dave "Diamond Dave"...anyway, Diamond Dave tells the bartender what happened and next thing we know, our drinks are comped, the manager talks to our former server & we're seating in a new section. Horrible service had been redeemed.

Jessica & I post initial bad service

After Sloppy Joe's we took a stroll down Duval Street and end up at the Bull & Whistle...we go up to the second story balcony & met a few other SEC fans. Sadly, none of them were Vol fans, but Jessica, Ally & myself made up for it by singing Rocky Top before we left...we love our Vols.

Our view of Duval Street

The major "to do" item for Tuesday was our"Reefs & Rita's" FURY snorkeling adventure. Keep in mind that fish freak me out...but I figured..."you know what, I'm on vacation....why not..." So we get on the boat and start collecting our gear...the dude was trying to hand me regular black snorkel, but hello...I needed the pink one.

When it was all said and done, I was very happy I decided to give it a try. Not only did I survive, I saw a cute little sea turtle & a reef shark. Oh, and as we were walking off the ramp someone calls out, "are you a Vol fan?" Forgetting I had my camo Power T hat on, I spun around looking kind of confused. Turns out one of the FURY crew guys was from Winchester. The same Winchester that former kicker Jeff Hall & Phillip Fulmer called home.

I had to have a snack on the way back to the car...so I settled for key lime pie...on a stick.

We headed to Stock Island for dinner at the Hogfish Bar & Grill. In hindsight, I should have ordered the hogfish...it was amazing. But my rock lobster & crab cakes were out of this world. I've been up to Annapolis & Baltimore, MD and those crab cakes were good, but no where near as soft & moist as the one's I got at Hogfish.

If you're down in the Keys...I highly suggest you stop by for dinner...you won't be sorry. Everything about this place was amazing...the setting...the food & the service. Do you see a theme about good service yet?

After dinner we headed back to Duval Street so I could do a little tourist shopping. Had to make a pit stop at Margaritaville. We met Vol fan #2 there...the cashier was from Middle Tennessee and moved to the Keys a few years ago...hum...I'm seeing a pattern here...live in Tennessee for a bit, then move even farther south....I like it.

Pinky & the Brain (I'm the Brain)

Wednesday was my last night in the Keys, as I have to be in Vegas on Friday...(tough life, I know)...but I had to stop at Kermit's Key Lime Shoppe & indulge in ever more pie. I even got some cookies to take home...I love cookies.

We also made a pit stop at the Hemingway House and go to visit some of the six toed cats.

Charlie Chaplin

We wandered around Mallory Square for a little while, then it was time to head to dinner. After our Hogfish experience, we knew it was going to be tough to top...but we found a place called "The Flaming Buoy Fliet Co." In my opinion, this is another "must visit"...it's a little off the beaten path and seats maybe 20-25 people, but not only was the owner/server awesome...the food was out of this world. I love bacon & I love scallops...put them together and I was in heaven.

Best meal ever

Goodbye Key West, for now...

Happy 4th of July!!

Bristol Peyton wanted to wish everyone a Happy 4th of July!

But I also wanted to thank all of the men & women who have served and continue to serve our country. "Thank you" doesn't seem to do it justice, but without our military, we wouldn't be able to enjoy the freedom we have today.

20(10) With a 2

May 14, 2010, The Joint at the Hard Rock

Funny what I find when it's time to repack my suitcase. I totally forgot about the set list from the May 14th show at the Joint. Listening to the NSR broadcast last night got me thinking about it.

The man was the Energizer Bunny...he kept going, and going...

Ain't Back Yet

Live Those Songs

Beer In Mexico

Keg In the Closet

Out Last Night

Guitars & Tiki Bars

No, Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem

I Go Back

Anything But Mine

Summertime

How Forever Feels

Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven

When the Sun Goes Down

Don't Blink

Don't Happen Twice

Me & You

On the Coast of Somewhere Beautiful

She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy

Young

Living in Fast Forward

Then Jukebox Chesney took over...

Take It Easy -- the Eagles

Dixieland Delight -- Alabama (no joke, I seriously flipped out when he started playing ...it was awesome)

The Joker -- Steve Miller Band

Three Little Birds -- Bob Marley

Last Dance with Mary Jane -- Tom Petty

Hungry Heart -- Bruce Springsteen

Why Don't We Get Drunk -- Jimmy Buffett (another classic)

The Fireman -- George Strait (priceless)

Blister in the Sun -- Violent Femmes

Hurts So Good -- JCM

Still a little sad we didn't get "What I Need to Do" or "Back Where I Come From"...but the vibe he had with the fans was well worth the price of admission. And don't you know, I'd do it all over again!

What I Need to Do...

Waiting for the Nationwide replay, so I'm listening to Kenny Chesney on No Shoes Radio. He's back in Vegas and he just played "What I Need to Do" and "I Go Back"...he's also mentioned East Tennessee several times.

Here's the million dollar question, why won't he come back here and play? Yes, I know he played Neyland Stadium and if you grow up in East Tennessee, how do you top that, but come on?

I guess I shouldn't complain, I've been able to see him in smaller venues and his small shows are just as amazing as his stadium tours.

2006 Keg in the Closet -- New Amsterdam

I think I paid $75 for the $10 Keg in the Closet ticket, but it was worth every penny...he sang "Touchdown Tennessee" for goodness sakes!

Yes, I went to Luttrell for this photo-op

OK, now he's playing "Back Where I Come From"....how fitting...

Doh!

I can't believe I missed Dale Jr running the #3 Wrangler @ Daytona tonight! The Nationwide race totally slipped my mind & I went to see Eclipse with some friends.

By the time the movie was over, I checked the race updates on Twitter and saw that Jr had a chance to end up in Victory Lane. Um, he hasn't won a Cup race since 2007 or a Nationwide race since 2006.

When I heard "Dale Jr to the lead at Daytona..." I literally started screaming in my car. And once the race was over, there were tears streaming down my face. Finally, Junior Nation has something to rally around!

My Junior Nation Crew flag

Still not sure what the Whisky River card is good for...

It's about that time...

I love e-mails that come from my boss saying I can leave early. I think the last time I got one of those was in early 2008...maybe? But I got one today...and you better believe I'm going to take advantage of it!

That means I get to peace out at noon tomorrow & start my weekend, which will lead into my vacation. It's the little rewards we get at work that make me & the rest of my department happy. We've all worked hard over the past few months & it's nice to know your work is appreciated.

Thank you...TF!