Downtown Dash 2011

My friend Brad is trying to convince me to actually "run" in this year's 2011 Downtown Dash. I normally don't run unless something is chasing me. I take that back, I ran one time, to the Coach store. I saw a bag I wanted and it was the last one on the shelf.

I do go to the gym and will go for a "brisk walk" or "jog" down by the river and through campus, but the thought of running with a bunch of other people kind of freaks me out.

What if I trip along the way? What if I pass out? Or worse, what if I finish dead last?!

But this "race" is only a mile. How bad could it actually be?

Last year "Biscuit-fest" was going on at the same time. Now if it was "Bacon-fest" I would have signed up yesterday! But Bacon-fest is in September, I think.

So, I think I'm going to give it the old college try. Who wants to run with me?

All you need is LOVE

Last week, I found out that my July trip to Las Vegas will no longer be a "family reunion". My LA cousins decided they want to visit Hawaii next year, so the savings start now.

No biggie, I still get to see my grandparents & this time I think I'm going to finally take in a Vegas show. I think I'm going to see the Beatles: LOVE at the Mirage.

Per the Las Vegas Review Journal, this Cirque du Soleil show was voted "Best show in Las Vegas" by readers in 2008, 2009 & 2010.

Looks like fun, no?

Cirque du Soleil -- The Beatles: LOVE

I did it!

Every year, for as long as I can remember, I struggle to come up with something to give up for Lent. I don't know that I've been successful for 40 days. But, this was the year. I successfully gave up bacon.

Now, those that know me, know how much I love bacon. Heck, I went on a bacon bonanza a few weeks before the start of Lent, when I was in Savannah. Call it silly, but it took a lot of self control to accomplish this task. It made me think about another personal struggle. If I can give up something as trivial as bacon, I can give up making another poor choice.

This choice never gets any easier. I thought I was done with it year ago, but it seems to crop up again ever few years. I want to believe everything will work out in the end. But I almost feel I have to remove myself from the situation. The last thing I want to do is hurt anyone, but I also value my friendships.

Why can't we live in a perfect world? One in which old friends can remain dear friends and where new friends can become close friends too.

There was one world that fixed the problem a few years ago. "Delete" is a powerful word, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I remember it like it was yesterday. I handed it over to my buddy, MM. He looked me in the eye, didn't give me an "I told you so" glare and hit the delete button. And just like that, all was right in the world.

Now here's the million dollar question, can I actually hit the delete button this time around?

Breathe in, breathe out, move on...

I had the opportunity to visit with an old friend. I've been looking forward to it for quite a while, but for one reason or another, this reunion will not happen in the immediate future.

I'm not going to lie, I do want to see this friend again and I can't even understand why. We haven't seen each other in years, but there's just something about the situation that keeps pulling me back in.

Our schedules are so crazy, I doubt we'll find the time to make it work. I fear a part of me is always going to care. Maybe it's my fault for caring too much. I wish this whole thing would make sense in my head.

What could have been...

I'm watching one of my favorite sports movies, Rudy. For some reason it got me thinking about what could have been...had I chosen to attend the Univeristy of Notre Dame than the Univeristy of Tennessee.

I wonder if I'd be the same person I am today? Would I still be living in Tennessee? Or would I be off at some other locale?

For the record, I have never doubted my decision to attend the University of Tennessee. I met some of the best people in the world thru my time there. And I'm lucky to still call many of them my friends.

Besides, the Vols gave me a National Championship my sophmore year. What have the Irish done on the field?

Tuck's new hobby...

So I get a call from Tuck last week...after a few rambling conversations, he tells me that he's always wanted to be a referee. Oh boy, he's signed up to be a Georgia high school ref.

Now we have a running gag, like Les Miles, Tuck doesn't read books. I figured there was some kind of test and asked him how he was going to pass. He told me it was more of a handout and there were pictures, so it wasn't really a "book".

He's suppose to start with middle school & junior high games. They play on Thursday's and Saturday's. I'd never sacrafice a home game for him, but I think it would be hilarious to see him call a game live!

I mean, I yell at the ref's every weekend anyway. Why not practice on someone I know?

I checked the Vols schedule...we have an off weekend at the end of September. I think I'm going to have to make a trip to the ATL and catch this on video!

I crack on Tuck pretty good, but this is kind of like a 'bucket list' item for him, so I'm happy he's going to give it a shot. I'm just not sure he can run with the whistle & the flag.

Does this make him official?

Sideways

 I haven't seen Dierks Bentley live since 2008 maybe? I can't really remember, but I did remember he put on one heck of a show. Not to mention he's easy on the eyes, as well as the ears.

He stopped in Knoxville last week and we headed out to see him. Granted, I was still exhaused from traveling, but I'm glad I went...he did a good job!

I'd have to say the highlight was when he broke out with a little "Rocky Top" and the "Dukes of Hazzard" theme song. Once he started to strum the first few notes, Guinn & I both freaked out. Not shocking, in the least. He leaned over and said, "I loved the Dukes...I always wanted to be Luke Duke!"

I'd never heard of anyone that wanted to be Luke, so I gave him this funny look and said, "Luke, are you sure?"

Realizing his mistake he covered with, "Not Luke, Bo...I meant Bo Duke..."

Next thing I knew he was letting out a rebel yell...I almost had beer come out of my nose!

I'm not sure if there's anything sexier than a guy in a black shirt and blue jeans who can play a guitar...

Something to think about...

I saw this on a friend's Facebook status. It struck a chord with me...I feel like this is what I've been doing for the last year or so. And I feel this is what I'd like to continue to do, for years to come...

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."


-Mark Twain

I just want to sleep...

I don't know what it is, but for the past week, I have been unable to get a good nights sleep. Last night, for example, I woke up every 2 hours. If a dream woke me up, I have no idea what it was about. I can't tell you the last time I remember one. I'm kind of jealous of everyone else who can recall their dreams at the drop of a hat.

But back to my recent case of insomnia. I hope it's goes away just as quickly as it arrived. I've never had a problem falling asleep before. My motto is, "if I'm tired, I will fall asleep". I've been tired for the past 5 days, but still can't stop tossing and turning.

I think I know the root of these restless nights. I'm just not sure how to get rid of it just yet.

Oops!

I think of the most random things at the most random times. I have a rule, when I go on vacation, I don't think about work. It's just not healthy. There's nothing I can do if I'm not in the office.

But last night, as I was flying over Texas, it hit me...I couldn't remember any of my passwords. I have 2 passwords, one that unlocks my computer and logs me in to AS400. The other is for my e-mail. My e-mail password doesn't change, but the other has to change ever few months.

Why I was thinking about that on a flight, I'll never know. But sure enough, when I got back to the office today... I couldn't log in to my computer. After a few tries, I ended up changing that password, but since I couldn't remember what it was, I couldn't log into AS400 and start my actual work.

The password for AS400 must contain letters & numbers. Well, I use a standard code and change the last two characters. That was the problem, I couldn't remember what those last 2 characters were. I tried the two I thought they were and my stupid machine kept beeping at me!

I had to wait till 8:00AM to call IS and have them re-set my password.

And as I just re-read this post, I think those last 2 characters had something to do with my dog! I'm such an idiot!

Moving in slow motion

As much as I love to travel, it's beginning to take its toll on me. I feel like I need to hit the "pause" button and just decompress. I think this feeling comes from being in an airport/airplane with stupid people.

I've been flying for a long as I can remember and flying solo since I was 10 or so. I mean really, is it that difficult to read a departure board? Or ask the gate agent for directions?

But my biggest travel pet peeve, people who don't understand how to pack a proper hand carry and how to properly stow one without being in everyone else's way. And what part of "2" hand carry bags can some people not understand? I don't care what size the bags are, if you have more than 2, one of them needs to be checked.

I also can't stand people that freak out and yell at the gate agents if they miss their flight or if there is a delay. I used to get upset when my travel plans were disrupted, but how will flipping out solve the situation? I got stuck in Dallas last summer. When I got to my gate, the boarding door had just closed, but before I landed I knew there was a pretty good chance I'd miss the last flight to Knoxville. I was more upset that I'd have to take an extra day off from work.

There were several other upset travelers, but leaving Vegas I was told that if I missed the connection, AA would put me up in a hotel, give me food vouchers & get me out on the first available flight the next morning. The lady next to me lost her cool & started screaming at the agent who was trying to assist her. He offered her a hotel, food & transportation. She declined because she wanted to sleep at the airport. Explain to me how sleeping in the airport would make a plane arrive faster?

I chose to hotel option. By that point, all I wanted was a shower, dinner and a bed. Thankfully I over packed and had an extra outfit to wear home the next morning.

Several of my friends have had major issues with Delta. I haven't had any major issues with them, but I still have 2 more trips to take this year. Let's hope they don't let me down in July & November!

Hello Sunshine

Finally, after what seemed like weeks, the sun decided to shine in Knoxville today. I was starting to lose my pre-summer tan.

I don't think this month will be as hectic as the last. I'm heading to Vegas on Thursday. Vegas is my "happy place", but I don't think it would have the same feel if I ever moved out there.

After I get back from Vegas, we have tickets for a Dierks concert at the Valarium. As much as I love to see massive stadium/arena shows, nothing beats a small club performance.

But April 16th is the day I have circled on my calendar. It's Orange & White Day!! Yes, I'm excited for our spring football game. Last season left a bad taste in my mouth and I hope this year will bring us more to cheer for. I'm also excited because I found out there will be an alumni flag football game at the half. It was so awesome last year when Al Wilson, Peerless Price & crew too to the field again. I wonder who will QB, Erik Ainge, maybe?