Ok I know I'm really into the links... But for anyone who is a Sex and the City fan, this should get you excited!!!! I know I can count on Anne and Gracie at least to check this out!!!
http://www.sexandthecitymovie.com/
Monday, March 10, 2008
Sex and the City trailer
My Today Show hit!!
Here is the clip featuring my client, Miss Jessies... 9 million people saw it!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/23519539#23519539
Mary Thompson
One Shot Wonder
Norman and I played in a couples tournament yesterday. No win, but boy did I drive that ball! The format was Captains Choice and without fail, I was out-driving the men by a LOT. (Dad, I think you should have gotten the ladies' version of the FT). I have a feeling that we will be in demand in future pairings - two high handicappers with a woman who can drive the ball 225 from the red tees! I guess eventually I will have to learn how to hit the other clubs in my bag.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
BEHIND CONFEDERATE LINES
After a good bit of frustration, trying to get into the blog on different days, from different computers, standing on my head, and on one occasion encouraging Mocha to bark at the screen, I responded to Uncle Ralph's email about the success of everyone but Mom and Dad. Rick, thankfully, came to my rescue and pointed out the misspelling. Amazing how those extra letters make such a difference!
We've had crazy weather here in Georgia -- warm and sunny changes quickly to very cold and snowy. As a result of this, both MacKenzie's soccer game and David's track meet were cancelled on Saturday. I, for one, was happy for the cancellation, as we still had three other activities scheduled for the day.
The Auburn University concert choir performed all of the music at church today. While I'm not an Auburn fan, the music was spectacular! They sang all of their songs acapella, including Battle Hymn of the Republic, which brought tears to the eyes of some in the congregation. The choir tour committee treated them to a great lunch afterward, and they headed back to Alabama.
Austin's choir has a big performance this evening -- a musical about Daniel. His middle school band will compete in a band festival later this week, which should give them an idea of how their band compares to others in the state. David's high school band competed last week and did quite well, but both boys have elected to drop band for next year.
Water continues to drip periodically into the kitchen from the master bath... we've now received an estimate to gut the bathroom, fix the problem, and bring the bathroom into the present. I hate to spend money. But -- if it gets worse, the thought of my toothbrush falling onto the stove from upstairs isn't so great either... Stay tuned...
A New Day
Well tomorrow I start again with the daily grind. My new job is with a company called National Default which handles mortgage forclosures in Texas, California and Nevada. I begin as a Software Architect. Of course I now have a commute which is a bit longer than before, so I have posted both my Vespa and my BMW for sale on Craig's list. I am hoping to get the previously pictured Audi TT for my daily commute.
If anyone is interested in a classic BMW or a nearly new Vespa -- better hurry!
Oklahoma Outpost
Cousin Judy ended up getting snowed in in St. Louis so her trip was postponed until April. Good news: house sparkly. Bad news: it won't last one month! Joe is in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, this week working. This is his first job in 2008. Last year he worked most of the month of February, too. Am going to try to send a picture of Seth on a camping trip with Tom. If I succeed, you can see why they love British Columbia!
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Book recomendation
JoAnne has just finished a book by Richard North Patterson, Conviction. It is a very well written and compelling story which is both troubling and thought provoking. JoAnne spent most of the night reliving the story and still can't get it out of her mind. You may not enjoy it but you surely should read it and consider the subject it presents.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Woodstock Wild Times
This and That
Well it was almost too easy for this writer to post. With intrepidation this writer created an account and what do you know but the next thing she is looking at the Blog! Very cool! This actually happend last week, but just took until now (and peer pressure:)) to re-enter and post!
Jackson lost another tooth last week. One of his top middle teeth fell out while the other one is waiting to come out any day. The tooth fairy is going broke at this rate.
Jackson has another practice baseball game on Saturday. This season he is on the Dodgers and he is one of the older more seasoned players. During their first practice game he batted 3 for 3 and in an another amazing play tagged a player out while almost sending him through the fence. He didn't mean to; he just forgot his own strength!
Carol starts tennis practice for the spring season this next week. She is looking forward to playing again with this great group of ladies
A visit from Dallas
The Taylors were the recepients of a wonderful visit from Uncle Rick last week when he passed through on his way to Southern Pines. They had a ball and the kids were excited beyond belief. Just as the Dallas editor himself----more fun could not have been had! The kids are anxiously awaiting another visit from their Uncle Rick but will take good care of his Packers pen in the meantime.
There's No Stopping Him Now
During the Grinter/Finegold golf match, Karen was using a new driver. On the 18th tee, Ralph borrowed it for his tee shot. FANTASTIC! He promptly went home and ordered one just like it, but a man's. Today when JoAnne and Ralph returned from lunch there was a long thin box on their porch. Ralph now has a Callaway FT-1 square head (the newest thing) Fujikura Speeder 586 driver with 11° loft and graphite shaft. He will be unbeatable.
Summer in Kansas
A few days ago I had a phone interview for an internship at the Nelson-Atkins museum in Kansas City. Fortunately, it went really really well and it looks like I'll be spending the summer with Anne and Justin! The internship is in the Group Services program of the museum and pertains to my business major. On top of that I plan on getting a job at a cute store on the plaza! The job and internship will take place while Anne and Justin are at work so it works out really well! We may even be able to meet up for lunch from time to time. Anne has informed me that I will be recruited by Justin to play on some co-ed sports teams so hopefully I won't let him down (its been a while since I have played a sport!) I had a long conversation with Anne about it yesterday and I am so excited!! It should be a really good experience and also creates a really nice oppurtunity to spend time with my sister and brother!
The Today Show
Anyone by any chance catch the travel segment this morning on the NBC Today Show? If so, you saw my client featured, a hair product called Curly Pudding by Miss Jessie's! I will post the link if it goes onto ivillage.com
I was stuck on the train this morning for about an hour, so I missed it (it was during the 9am segment) so any feedback would be great! Thank goodness for DVR though, I'll be able to check it out tonight at home.
A BLAST from the Past
My one-time roommate and teacher of the fine art of sarcasm, nose thumbing, and how to be irreverent on an otherwise conservative tow-the-line Indiana college campus, MARY KAY McTAGUE!!! (now McDaniel) has come for a visit and hopefully a lifetime (ugh what a line). Seriously, she and Her husband, Bill, live in Indianapolis but are considering a move to NC. We played golf yesterday and today are looking at houses. Norman is on his best behavior, but the two of them have a similar sense of the absurd (ie she actually thinks his jokes are funny!) Oh my gosh, we would have so much fun.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Crossword and Celebrity
This weekend was the 31st annual American Crossword Puzzle Tournament by the New York Times. Along with Dad and Anne, equipped with a box of number 2 pencils, a sharpener and a camera, we met with all the other Xword enthusiasts at the Brooklyn Mariott. This being my second year, I was anxious to improve my standings from last year. By the second day of the tournament, I was 680th out of 700. So a definite improvement for sure, but I never expected the paparrazi to be so impressed. With barely a second to warm up with some quick puzzles on Sunday before the grand finale puzzle, I was accosted by top network, Teen TV. They looked hopeful as they asked if I was a teenager, or at least in college. A year out of college was good enough, and they interviewed me about my views on crossword puzzles and how they could help in finding a job, getting into college, etc. I answered the best I could, trying to hide my name on my name tag. If they had any sort of journalistic background, you would think they would have checked the standings which were posted just outside the door. I don't know if they would have wanted to interview me then. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that I was one of the few people under the age of 40. Oh well. I googled teen TV and couldn't find it. All the posts were about stupid Tyler.
I Need This Car
Here I sit on a cold rainy Thursday with only four days remaining before I start work in Addison. Addison is a drive of about 10 miles on the highway and I will be unable to ride my Vespa. My alternative, the classic 1988 BMW Convertible has some problems for a daily commuter car:
1) It has 190,000 miles on it
2) The AC has long since ceased to function
3) The convertible top leaks in the rain.
Yesterday I took a look at the following:
A 2001 Audi TT Quatro Convertible with only 55K miles. It has a six speed manual and twin turbo four cylinder engine. I think Wendy needs to approve of this purchase don't you agree?
An Amazing Week or Does Starbucks spike their coffee with Viagra? (by Rick)
It has been quite a week. On Tuesday last I decided that it was time to get away from town and head to Southern Pines. I would stop in Atlanta and see if I could, once and for all, settle the issue of working for G4S (the English company that I had been associated with before). I figured that I would leave on Wednesday or Thursday and try to set up an appointment with G4S in Atlanta on Thursday, Friday or Monday. As usual I got calls for job interviews right to the end. I accepted two first interviews for Wednesday morning, thinking that I would leave on Wednesday evening or Thursday morning. I was to meet the recruiter at Starbucks just before the first interview. I met and I went to the interview. As I left the interview headed to the next I got a call from the recruiter; "How did it go?" she asked. "Pretty well I think. But you can never tell." Well apparently it went very well since they told the recruiter that they wanted me. I headed to the next interview knowing that I now had a job offer.
I headed for Atlanta on Thursday morning bright and early. I had my cell phone fully charged and at about 9:00am the daily recruiter calls began. At about 11:00am I got a call from the recruiter that set me up with the second of Wednesday's interviews. It went well – they want to make me an offer. Now this is highly unlikely. Two interviews in one day, both the first interview, both resulting in an offer. What was in that Starbucks coffee? I headed on to Atlanta dumbfounded, but still without confirmation of any G4S interview for either Friday or Monday.
I arrived at the Taylor household around 7:30pm. Jackson and Emmy were still awake and gave me the full house tour. We then sat down for a "dangerous" rendition of Dr. Seuss' – The Fox In Sox. Jackson and I alternated reading every other page. Carol and Jim took pictures. Following dinner, and after the young'uns went to bed my phone lit up again. This time my friend, and former supervisor from the G4S, Bob Thomas was trying to get me in front of the CTO one last time. He spoke to his boss and personally vouched for me – but nothing resulted. I touched base with him the next morning before leaving Atlanta and apparently both CTO and Bob's boss had boarded a plane to Ireland. Oh well I said, I'm tired of waiting. I accepted the better job in Dallas and headed for Southern Pines.
I arrived just in time for happy hour and moments before Karen and Norman. We had a relaxing evening and weekend, aptly reported on by other contributors. On Monday I headed back to Dallas. Having removed my resume from Monster.com, my cell phone was relatively quiet. I begin my new job as a Software Architect on Monday. I will need to consider getting a new car since my 1988 BMW convertible does not have working AC and the top leaks a bit in the rain – the new job is also too far to ride the Vespa. I will keep you posted.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
The Ultimate Driving Machine
Well, despite a quick trip to the emergency room for a bread knife related mishap at work (5 stitches to the hand, no big deal [pics available on request]), I will cautiously say that my luck (at least in the car department) is turning around.
After about a month of scouring the Internet for a machine that met my requirements, I stumbled upon Oxford (named for his paint color). It's a 2002 BMW 325i manual transmission with a mere 57k miles. I have only had it for about two hours but I can already say it is the sweetest car I have ever driven.
As a side note, you may notice Jenny's car in the background. While it may be the same year make and model, I can assure you mine is the most awesome.
Awesome day to be a Texan
PRIMARY DAY!
Alison and Wendy are at our precinct's polling place all day working the election. I will be headed out there at 4:00 to be a clerk. Caucusing begins at 7:00, after the primary voting ends.
It's bizarre and deeply satisfying to finally be a state that matters, results-wise. It's the kind of awesome feeling that makes you wish you lived in Iowa, except for the living in Iowa part.
Funny-- Because it's kinda true (Mary Thompson)
By Mary Thompson
I especially liked the Billy Joel and Bottled water part!!
http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.com/
PS I can’t get onto the site!!
Mary Thompson
Bella Public Relations, Inc.
545 8th Avenue suite 5SE New York, NY 10018
(p) 212.868.8183
(f) 212.868.8187
Monday, March 3, 2008
Gone Fishin' (By Justin)
After a long, restless winter, the 2008 fishing season has officially begun. This past weekend, Justin took advantage of the fact that Anne was out of town cross-wording and spent some much-needed time at the lake. Despite a frigid winter that left most of the lake frozen on opening day, the weekend turned warm just in time for a thaw - and the trout were hungry.
One of the fruits of Justin's labor is pictured to the right: the highlight of the weekend was this especially fat and colorful rainbow trout weighing in at around 4 lbs. Said trout was promptly fileted and enjoyed by Anne and Justin on Monday night. Recipe available upon request!
Norman
Finally, I hope. Hope that this will get posted as my expertise in computer literacy is far from strong. Anyway, here goes. Karen and I hosted dinner last night for Ralph, JoAnne and Rick. Five steaks, each cooked to varying degrees. It was a success and I am mighty proud of it. Today it was back to work after spending all of last week in New York. Seems like I have been away forever. Tomorrow is a big day in the life of us Democrats, with 4 primaries and hopefully a conclusion to this extraordinary race between Barack and Hillary. It is time that we concentrate on the enemy and not each other.
Crossword Tournament, By Anne
This past weekend, Anne traveled to New York for the annual NY Times Crossword Puzzle Tournament. Anne, Bill and Mary joined a record-breaking 710 puzzle enthusiasts who flocked to the Brooklyn Marriot to compete for bragging rights within the crossword community. Suffice it to say, neither Anne nor Mary has anything to brag about today, but it was a memorable experience nonetheless. For Gazette readers who enjoy crossword puzzles, imagine being presented with one of the hardest puzzles you’ve ever seen. Imagine obscure clues along the lines of “links locale” (4-letter answer? “Deli”) Then imagine picking up your pencil, taking a deep breath, preparing to slog through the first corner, and hearing 50 other people standing up and leaving the room because they’re already done. It felt like taking the SATs blindfolded with a room full of rocket scientists.
Crossword fun aside, Anne also enjoyed some down-time with Mary and Bill, including a delicious dinner at Nobu – New York’s most famous sushi restaurant. She returned on Sunday to some of the finest in Kansas City weather: 70-degree temperatures at 5:00 with overnight snow showers. Justin kept very busy while she was gone, spending the weekend on the lake and providing 5 very nice trout for dinner Monday night. We’ll see if Anne’s fish-cooking skills can compete with the chefs at Nobu!
Oklahoma Outpost
I am so excited. It seems I have actually "gotten in"! Have been CLEANING all week in anticipation of Cousin Judy's arrival tomorrow. Let's just say -- she is even WORSE than Mary Pontius! Need I say more? :)
BEHIND CONFEDERATE LINES
We are recovering from a very busy weekend!
It all started early on Friday morning, when MacKenzie had to be at school before 6:45 am to go on a field trip... Her class went to Columbus, GA where there's an exhibit about the Challenger space shuttle. They returned on Friday evening.
Saturday morning Austin had to be at school at 7 am to leave for a track meet, which started at 9 am. Barb and Denis watched him run a great 1 mile race for Henderson M.S. and he should be very proud. Austin went from the track meet to a local theater, where he helped his confirmation partner from church on set lighting for a community theater production of Sweet Charity. He returned home around 6 pm -- but his weekend wasn't over. He played in a soccer game on Sunday, a game which his team won by a score of 3-1.
David also had a track meet on Saturday, but his events were scheduled for afternoon. He and Barb drove to the meet location, expecting the 4x800 and 2 mile events to take place at 3 pm and 5 pm, respectively. Unfortunately, the organizers were running behind, and David's last event didn't start until about 7:15 pm, so it was a very long day!
Fun Week
Norman and I had a great NY visit! We drove as far as Wilmington Monday night, stayed downtown, had a yummy dinner, drank a lot of wine, and left for the city the next morning. We caught Jenna's basketball game Tuesday afternoon and the three of us met up with Mary, drank a lot of wine, and had a great dinner. Wednesday we took the train to Brooklyn to see Mary in her new digs. She took the day off and she and I visited her office, did some shopping, drank some wine, and had a great lunch. We then hooked up with Ben and Norman for happy hour, drank some wine and headed for Westchester to spend the evening with friends, where we drank a lot of wine. (Are we noticing a pattern?) Thursday, I met up with some friends at Richard Gere's new restaurant in Bedford (he is a Pound Ridge resident). Now, here is where I am going to lose you. Not only was there no wine, there was hardly any food. For $13, I got a soft boiled egg on a large white plate and a glass of tap water. Period. We immediately went to Sue's house, ate a bunch of popcorn and M&M's, and played Mah Jongh! Then back to SP where we drank a lot of wine and had a yummy dinner with Mom and Dad.
Golf Challenge
Yesterday (Sunday) team Finegold challenged team Grinter to a golf tournament. Despite the many lessons and hours of practice put in by the Finegolds and Karen's new "square" driver, team Grinter won handily by three strokes. Team Grinter has been challenged to a rematch the next time all are in town.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Rick in Southern Pines
Rick arrived at Belle Meade around 5:30 on Friday to spend a few days. Karen and Norman showed up a little later, having returned from their New York visit. Cocktails and some political discussions followed, then they went to the Club for dinner.
Today (Saturday) Karen, Norman and Rick are going to play golf and Rick is playing with Karen's toy (BMW). Tomorrow Ralph will join them for another round of golf.
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