Field Trip

Our very smart, talented, and amazing Central marketing team (consisting of the marketing peeps in Knoxville, TN and Cincinnati, OH) are taking a much-needed and well-deserved field trip by meeting up at the races at Keeneland today. This trip not only gets us out of a day of work, but it also is graciously provided at the expense of dear Wilbur Smith (may he rest in peace). Thanks, WSA! I look forward to seeing everybody at the track!!!

Interesting...

Thanks, Kristen, for this very unique and interesting take on toilet paper. I'm not sure if I love it or hate it...but, like Dawn, I know which one I'd prefer to wipe with. That's an effective and appropriate use of Victoria's likeness, I must say. :)

(Click on the picture for a larger version.)

Guilty pleasure...

Besides shoes and horses, I have a terrible weakness for books. I have all kinds of books (following my years as a graduate student in English literature and my time as a college lecturer, most of them are well-worn, used books) and I regularly feed my literary appetite at the local Borders. My real bad habit is new hardback books. When did books get so ridiculously expensive? A new hardback is $30? Well, anyway, Erika and David and I took a trip to Borders in West Knoxville this morning to buy some reference books for work. While Erika and David bought reference books for work, I bought books for myself. One of the books I purchased is titled You Know Your Life is a Soap Opera If.... It's great! Even though some of my life certainly applies (drama!), I'm happy to be able to laugh at a number of the scenerios given, and not cringe nervously at their resemblence to my own personal saga.

As of right now, my favorite quotation is: "You know your life is a soap opera if...you walk into a room and someone announces that the role of (insert your name) will be played by...".

Me want...

I really, really, really want these Manolo Blahniks. Unfortunately, they are $615 at Neiman Marcus. There is a lot I could do with $615, but these would really show off a brand new pedicure and make my legs look longer. Sadness!! This is one of those times that I lament the fact that Wilbur Smith just does not understand how badly a girl needs to be able to buy new shoes. And, when I say "new shoes," I mean Manolo Blahniks. However, to be totally honest, I love my shoes, but I am not terribly kind to them. Currently, I am still missing one of my red snakeskin strappy wedge sandals that I last wore back in August of 2006. The left sandal is so lonely. I have no clue where the other one is. Tragic.

Unbelievable...

So, I had a post ready for today that was about the fact that Prince William has dumped his long-term girlfriend and is now TOTALLY available, but I couldn't post about something so inconsequential when we are faced with the terrible events that occured yesterday morning at Virginia Tech. I have many friends that attended VaTech. Being originally from Bristol, TN/VA, everyone in my hometown either matriculated at UT in Knoxville or VT in Blacksburg. I'm sure that everyone in that area of the state is just struck horrified by what has happened.

Besides being geographically from the same area in Southwest VA, I am also disturbed by the fact that this is such a terrifying violation of a college campus and the academic community. Having been at a university (UT) for the past 10 years (as a graduate student, administrative employee, and faculty member) I find it both unbelieveable, yet frighteningly possible. On the whole, academic life at a large state university was safe, fun, stimulating, and interesting. But, I also know that it crossed my mind several times that, "wow...that student really hates me and he/she is rather unstable." How easy would it have been for Jane or Joe to just walk into a classroom and open fire? Or, to walk into my office in McClung Tower and just gun me down? How easy would that have been? Well, it would have been as easy as someone simply walking in off the street and pulling out a gun. It's unexpected, unanticipated, unprepared for, and almost unheard of. I feel for the people who were killed, the many who were injured and who witnessed this atrocity, and for the friends and families of everyone affected. I hope that those who are struggling with this right now will find some peace somehow, because I know that there really is no acceptable justification or explanation for this crime.

Beckham Monday!

Today is Monday. Which inevitably means...no matter how well my weekend went...that I need some Beckham in order to just get through. So, here he is. Need I say more???

My Middle TN Girls!

I am headed to Nashville this weekend to spend time with my horsey homegirls down that-a-ways. There is a small, unrecognized horse trial at Percy Warner Park in Brentwood, TN, on Sunday morning that several of the girls (my sister, included) are taking their young and green horses to in order to get geared up for the spring eventing season. So, with that being said, I will hop in my truck tomorrow morning and see you all for dinner! Until then...

My Buddy

I heart my BFF, Will, like...whoa. That's my buddy, Willy Wonka, in the picture to the left. You are totally the bestest! You are always there for me when I need a hug. And, you love kittens and puppies and ponies and bunnies. And, you have the cutest little overalls EVER. Don't ever change (and, by "change," I mean change that adorable yellow and orange striped shirt). It matches your cap p-e-r-f-e-c-t-l-y. All that's missing is a little hard-hat, a truck, and work boots. I love you the mostest!

XxOOOoxxXX