Thunder from Down Under

Yes, I went to Vegas again, but this time, I got to spend a day with 2 of my childhood friends. I moved away from Hawaii when I was 8, but I'd go home to visit almost every summer till college. It's hard to imagine friendships that last though moves, marriage and children.

When I was in Hawaii, I had lunch with Sheila. She likes to go to Vegas almost as much as I do. As we were talking, we realized we'd be in Vegas at the same time for a few days. Before long, our friend Nani found out we'd both be in Vegas and she didn't want to be left out. Since she's married, with 3 children, traveling is a little more difficult for her. But by gosh, she packed up the whole family and met us in the desert.

I have to thank her wonderful husband, Casey, for looking out for us. They ended up staying at the MGM Grand and Casey arranged for a limo to take us to lunch, booked massages (I'd never had one before), booked another limo to take us down to the Craft Beer Fest and even got us surprise tickets for a "surprise". That might have been the funniest part of the evening. We were instructed to pick up an envelope from the bell desk before we left for the Beer Fest. We were also told not to open it till we got downtown.

All we knew, there were tickets inside that envelope. We didn't think much about it, just figured they'd be for a show or something. So we get downtown and open the envelope once we get to the Golden Nugget. Nani's face was priceless as she read the words, "What's Thunder from Down Under?", she asked. Sheila & I could not stop laughing. Once we told her what it was she started laughing too.

Now let me go back a minute. If you knew Casey, you'd know why this was extra funny.

But here's the question you all want answered...how was Thunder from Down Under...

I don't even know how to process this question. Casey got us VIP tickets which means our table was in the front row, in the middle of the stage. I wasn't sure I wanted sweaty, naked Australian's dancing that close to me. The people watching was to die for!!

We went to the 11PM show and I was pretty tired since I flew in that morning and we had a jam packed day, but we ended up having a lot of fun. Now, the dancing wasn't as good as Channing Tatum in "Magic Mike", but the eye candy was pretty sweet.

Sorry, no photos as we were instructed to turn off our cell phones and keep cameras tucked away.

Did I mention it was Bama weekend. They closed the show with a "Sweet Home Alabama" routine. The place went nuts and I stuck my fingers in my ears and put my head on the table. I love my Vols too much to listen to that junk.

The Wild Eagle

Since I'm a pretty stubborn person, I refused to let a little rain keep my buddy and I from Dollywood on Monday. I wanted to take a spin or three on the new roller coaster, the Wild Eagle! We asked some of our co-workers if they wanted to join us, but none wanted to shell out the $62.00 or brave the rain/cold. The Boss Man gave us each $30.00 gift cards since we were suppose to go "shopping", but Dollywood didn't take AMEX, but the adventure was well worth the price of admission.

Brad and I hit every major ride and rode several multiple time to get the most bang for our buck! For the record, I can't do rides that go backward or spin in circles too much. How I convinced him to get me on the Dizzy Disk, I'll never know, but I almost threw up my BBQ all over him, and he would have deserved it!

But back to the Wild Eagle, I love roller coasters where your feet dangle. I guess that's because the super power I've always wanted is, to fly. I'm not a big fan of coasters that take you up, then drop you straight down. Thank goodness the Eagle didn't do that. After the initial drop and turn, I went from terrified, to having the time of my life.

I never buy those photos after you ride the rides, but Brad's expressions were too good to pass up! I promise he was having a good time, but just not when the camera snapped.

Here's a bit more info about the Wild Eagle:

"America's first wing coaster, the first ride of its kind in the U.S., is perched 21 stories above Dollywood and takes riders on a unique experience that feels as if they are actually soaring high above the Smoky Mountains.

Instead of having the train on the track, Wild Eagle seats riders on either side so there is nothing but air above and below the rider!"

First time the camera snapped, on the first run

I figured out I wasn't going to die, Brad...still not sure

Still having fun on Ride #2...Brad is still concerned

Yup, still laughing...Brad, I think he wants to get off

Color Me Rad

Knoxville hosted its first Color Me Rad 5K, yesterday. It benefited East Tennessee Children's Hospital. Unlike other races, this one was not timed and after each K, you were pelted with colored power or sprayed with paint. Our fresh white shirts, courtesy of Health First Fitness didn't stay white for long.

I have my shirt currently soaking in vinegar to help preserve the color. We'll see how it goes. I was worried the color would take a long time to wash off my body. I was kind of right. The hot pink color that was embedded in my scalp came out with a few extra scrubs, but the blue under my arm is still there, after repeated scrubs. I hope it washes out tonight.

Overall, it was a fun event...I'd do it again next year. Maybe I could actually train and run the whole thing...maybe.

the before

the after

I want a baby goat!

I think I have lost my marbles...

Anyone that knows me, knows that I hate to run. Heck, I don't even like to sweat! But I signed up for the 5K, Susan G. Komen, Race for the Cure at the end of this month. Why? I have no idea!

After work, 3 of my co-workers and I went for a jog on what we think is the course. All I know is we started over near the convention center, ended up back in the bowels of the Old City and found our way back to Worlds Fair Park.

I didn't die, which is a plus and I actually ran a lot farther than I thought I could without stopping to walk. As of this very minute I feel good. We'll see how my body feels tomorrow morning. Why I decided to run 5K tonight, when I have another 5K race in the morning...I have no idea. Good thing about tomorrow's Color Me Rad. It's not a timed event and there are suppose to be like 5K people, so I think there will be a lot of walking.

5 day work weeks...

Since May, I've probably only worked a handful of 5 day work weeks. When I do, it totally messes with my mind. I woke up today thinking it was Friday. Big time boo-boo on my part. Then I was sad for the rest of the day because I have to do it all over again tomorrow.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy working, but this is vacation month and my buddy & I decided to hit up Dollywood on Monday. And here's the best part, we're getting paid to have fun!

Next week, we're having a Team Leader retreat in Pigeon Forge. I normally dread them because this is a very busy time for my department and all I can think about is how much work I'm going to have when I get back to the office. And a majority of the topics we cover don't have much to do with my specific job. But it is a very nice break away from the desk. We have more food and drink than we need and we even get goodie bags. I got a Colts hoodie a few years ago (thanks for leaving Peyton) and a $50 Target gift card last year. When they asked what my favorite retail store was this year, I said Coach. Wonder if I'll actually get a gift card?

We normally leave the office by 10AM on Monday and you have a choice of 2 activities. You can golf or go shopping. Yes, I've been paid to shop before and they normally give you some shopping money and let you expense you lunch. Two years ago my buddy and I drove up to Gatlinburg and ate at the Pancake Pantry.

This year we thought we'd all get to go to Dollywood for the day, since we can't check into the cabins till after 5PM. But that was not to be, so, my buddy and I made the executive decision to hit up Dollywood instead. Before you start making fun of Dollywood, I hear they've added some pretty cool coasters over the past few years. But what do I know, I haven't been there since the late 80s or early 90s.

I'm just hoping I don't throw up my funnel cake!

It's been over 10 years...

Since I've seen two of my oldest friends. Hard to believe, right? But one of them still lives in Hawaii and the other is married with a family in Oregon, it's very difficult to align our schedules.

But by the grace of the Parrothead himself, Jimmy Buffett. The three of us will be in Vegas at the same time. Yes, I bought tickets to see Jimmy Buffett at the MGM Grand. When I was in Hawaii over the summer, my  friend Sheila & I started talking about the rest of our travel plans over lunch. Come to find out, I fly in to Vegas on the tail end of her trip.

Then, we told our friend Nani and next thing we know, she and her family decide to fly in. I can't believe I haven't seen any of her children yet. I'm such a bad friend.

Did I mention there's also a Beer Festival at the Golden Nugget? I have a good feeling Vegas will never be the same.