Saturday, and a Serenade

Did anyone see Mick Jagger right next to Bill Clinton at the World Cup game Saturday afternoon? Talk about the Odd Couple...

Speaking of Mick Jagger...

I had a killer few days at work last week...we have undergone some big changes as a company, and it has directly effected my position. Getting adjusted to these changes has been a challenge, and I was more than ready for some time to myself this weekend to rejuvenate.

So Saturday morning I went to the Bread and Co. near my house, got a newspaper, and enjoyed breakfast outside. Just me. And it was heavenly.

What was not heavenly was the serenade I got when my name was called to pick up my bagel with strawberry cream cheese.

After your order is placed, you are to wait until your name is called. Well, when my name was called, instead of just simply saying my name, the guy behind the counter totally broke out with the Rolling Stones' hit, Angie.

I'm talkin' the whole entire restaurant turned around.

I've heard this song sung to me a time or two before. But I have never had it sung to me over a microphone at 8:30 in the morning by a total stranger, infront of total strangers. And remember, I was by myself.

He literally sang an entire verse. When all you need to do is pick up a bagel, an entire verse seems like ten minutes.

Oh my word dude, please shut up!

So I got my breakfast while he kept singing. Everyone was looking at me, and once again the only kind of emotion I could rely was laughter. I mean what else could you do?

A is for Angie. And for Awkward. As proven by my little Saturday morning delight.

Nashville Rising

Where else could you find this beauty belting out How Great Thou Art


...followed by Taylor telling her love story Romeo woes



...then the these old tymers singing about us girls going crazy for sharp dressed men



...and ending with her introducing Faith Hill's set?



She. Is. BADASS.

Oh Nashville...I'm so proud to call you my home. Thanks for a great benefit for our town.

vickie vs. the squirrel

Emails from my mother never cease to amaze me...and this one is no exception. I guess the apple doesn't really fall that far from the tree.

When I got back from church Sun., I'd left my car windows cracked just a little bit so it wouldn't get so blistering hot. A squirrel had got in there and was jumping from the front to the back seat. So I hurriedly flung one of the back doors open and the moron got scared and jumped back in the front. So I opened the front door, and he finally lept out the door onto the tree in my courtyard. Actually he flew. I was scared shi------. |Then my peaches that I had bought at monks -- he had chewed in to two of them. Then I think the squirrel had become nervous and peeed on my dashboard. It was a mess. It reminded me of a Ray Stevens song, "The Mississippi Squirrel revival." This is the honest truth and I have not exaggerated one bit. It was horrifying.

A funny thing happened at the pool today...

Happy first official day of summer! It's hot. But you already knew that.

One of my favorite things to do on sweltering summer weekends is to slather on some sunscreen, grab a few magazines and head to the pool. For whatever reason, the stifling heat doesn't bother me and I could sit there reading for hours. I guess you could say I'm a beast.

I went to the pool Sunday late morning. I stayed for several hours and had three different awkward moments that I thought you all would appreciate.

1. I was cooling off in the pool next to a sweet little girl and her mother. All of the sudden the child blurts out "Mommy, her boobies are bigger than your's." Ahh, children... I don't know who was more mortified - me or the mother.

2. A guy, I guess in his late 30's, plopped down on the chair next to mine. He turns to me and goes, "Is it me, or does it smell like pork out here?" Pork? I didn't even know how to answer that. So I didn't! I just laughed.

3. There was a group of older men sitting within an ear shot of me discussing the U.S. Open, oil spill, and other newsworthy stories. All of the sudden, one of them brings up his wife's recent colonoscopy, and proceeds to take out his cell phone & show his buddies the visuals. For once, I find a downside to the camera phone.

All of this within three hours of catching some ray's. Apparently the swimming pool is the new nuthouse.

If this is the kind of excitement I'm going to get from here on out, I'm in for some great weekends poolside!

writing down numbers, checking it twice

Today I received a voicemail at work that was not intended for me. I decided to call the lady back and see what she needed so I could direct her to either our CEO or our CFO. I jotted down the number on my to-do list.

I few hours later, I finally got around to calling her back. Except not.

I was one number off from the number she gave me, and, while on speaker phone, accidentally called, for lack of better terminology, an adult phone services line.

Thankfully, I was able to end the call immediately upon hearing moans and groanes soliciting "action from local ladies". I died.

As soon as I collected myself, I shared my little mistake with others in the office, and I had a few people in tears from laughter.

Again, only me.

(In case you are curious, the number was 1-877-426-7826.)

spicy chicken sandwhich

I realize my past two posts have been about food, so I'm going to go ahead and keep with that tradition. My friend in Atlanta, Ryan, sent me a text at lunch today letting me know he was on his way to try the new ChickFilA spicy chicken sandwich. I hadn't tried it yet, and wanted to know what it was like. So I asked him to review it for me...thus the basis for this post. Enjoy!

Preface: The author sampled the deluxe CFA Spicy Chicken Sandwich, which features lettuce, tomato, pepperjack cheese and the signature two pickles.

This sandwich ends not with a bang, but with a whimper.

The sandwich is roughly the same size as the traditional CFA chicken sandwich. The texture of the chicken is similar and features the wondrous "crunch" that scores of Chicken Sandwich fans have come to adore. The bun is similar, as are all the veggies, the lone change is Pepper Jack cheese (more on this in a moment) and the overall spice of the sandwich.

Biting into the sandwich, you don't immediately taste the heat. It comes midway through the experience when you start to notice "hey - I'm eating something spicy!" The heat isn't overpowering and doesn't have a distinct flavor. It's not comparable to a buffalo sauce, a salsa, or some type of Cajun seasoning. If anything, it tastes like a dish that's had a little bit too much pepper used in its preparation. The pepper jack cheese doesn't add much - in fact it might cool down the taste sandwich more than anything. Throughout the entire meal, I only reached for my glass of iced tea once. This should give you an idea that it really isn't spicy or overly flavorful at all. In fact, as I sit here and write this, there isn't really an aftertaste to the meal.

Ultimately, it's a little bit of a letdown and I believe Wendy's Spicy Chicken sandwich has it beat. I'm of the opinion that Chik-fil-A might be one of the best fast food restaurants in America (if not THE best) and I can honestly say I wouldn't go into the store again and order this in place of a normal sandwich or nuggets/strips.

The upside is that they are selling them in truckloads. I stood in a 5 minute line to order and the two people in front of me and the one person to the left all ordered the sandwich. Their sales are gonna increase significantly this quarter because of the addition and they'll cover their R&D expenses for the development of the sandwich. I just don't think it has much "staying power" and will probably not stay on the menu longer than a calendar year.

BEEF - it's what's for lunch

I've said it once & I'll say it again: I love my job. Besides the people, and what I actually do, there are tons of perks that make the 40 hours per week spent here, very much worth it.

Every now and then, we will have lunch brought in for us. This past Friday, all the girls ordered from PF Changs. Everyone was to turn in what they wanted to me and I took it from there.

Going through the orders, I came across one that I honestly thought was a mistake. Remember, it was just the girls that ordered. And one of them ordered a New York Strip. Say it with me now: WTF?

There are two things wrong with this picture. One, who in their right mind (much less a girl) eats a New York Strip for lunch? I mean I guess to each their own...but my gosh. Second, I know it's always nice to get treated to lunch, dinner, or whatever, but it bothers me when people take advantage of it. That particular meal was $20. If you wouldn't spend $20 on your own lunch, don't make someone else do it just because it is free!

So I called and politely told her that it was a few dollars over a normal-priced meal, and could she pick something else. She was fine with it.

The best part? She ordered the wok-seared beef, which was still the most expensive item ordered between the 10 of us.

You go, girl.

get in my belly

I love food. I mean really, who doesn't? But my love goes beyond just what I eat. I love to cook, bake, read food magazines...I even minored in journalism in college because a food/restaurant critic was my dream job. Still is, actually.

I don't know if I could pinpoint my absolute favorite food. I love Greek and Mexican food the most, but I will eat just about anything from anywhere. In fact, I should weigh 492 pounds.

But my absolute favorite restaurant in the whole wide world lies right here in Nashville. It's a dive...not too big, not too fancy but filled with plenty of history and character. Oh, and they serve Coke in the glass bottles. Automatic bonus points!

It's called Rotier's. When I was little my parents, sister & I would go almost every Saturday night. Family owned and operated, it's been around since 1945, in the same spot right next to Centennial Park on Elliston Place.

It is more-or-less a hamburger joint, but they also serve other sandwiches and have a daily meat and three special. And they have hand-dipped milke shakes that are to.die.for.

I've tried a few different things on their menu in the past, but I most always get my standard: hamburger on french bread and half and half (half onion rings, half french fries). And oh my heavens...is it ever good. Nevermind that I have to pretty much unbutton my pants after I eat...it is totally worth it.



If you are ever in the mood for something not-so-healthy, but definitely delicious, go to Rotier's. And be sure to call me to tag along!

wednesday randoms

Denim Diapers: Because even babies deserve the luxury of designer jeans.