Thinking oustide the box (Christmas gift box)

I haven't been that great about keeping up with my blog lately, but that doesn't mean that I haven't been busy. Oh, just a side note, I went back to see "Pride and Prejudice" at the new theatre and they now have water bottles for sale behind the counter! Since I started my new job in Savannah I have been leaving earlier and coming home later (with the commute and extended hours through the end of the year). Then after work I try and get to the gym which means that I'm not home until 8pm sometimes....sometimes later. I've been trying to eat better which is difficult at this time of the year, especially when people are bringing in cookies and candy for the holidays but not impossible. Anyway...

I know that Christmas is coming and people around you are asking what you want for Christmas and everything seems so hectic but I want to remind people to stop for a minute and think of how others less fortunate are spending their Christmas/Holiday season. Do we really need all of this stuff that people are giving us? Probably not in most cases. We are lucky to even have a roof over our heads and food on our table. I urge people to think outside their families and into others this holiday season and give to those who can't even afford a Christmas dinner.

Last year Morgan and I sponsored two children from different families from the Boys and Girls Club of Bluffton. They give their Christmas wishes along with their clothing sizes and we went shopping for them and delivered the gifts to the Boys and Girls Club. I can't tell you how great that made us feel. To know that we shared a piece of happiness with strangers who are in need of extra attention. Whether through poverty, sickness, etc. these families need our help. This year Morgan and I are sponsoring a family from the same club and are eager to help out and give what we can...even when our pockets are tight.

I'm not preaching to people and telling them what they should or shouldn't be doing with their money this year...that's the last thing that I would want, but I think that a lot of times we forget to look around and outside of ourselves...and this is the perfect time and opportunity.

Organizations:
Boys and Girls Club of Bluffton 843-706-2300
Salvation Army (angel tree)
Churches

what a rip-off

Morgan and I finally ventured out to the new SeaTurtle movie theatre that my former architecture firm (KRA, Inc.) designed. The building is beautiful and the layout is very clear...the carpet could be better but that's ok. We paid for the tickets online and used one of the kiosks inside the lobby to print out our tickets and were amazed with how quick and painless it was. We decided to fork over the money for concessions since it was our first time there. Morgan ordered popcorn and a soda and I ordered sour patch kids (my favorite) and tried to order a bottle of water. I was told that the bottles of water were only for sale out of the drink machine in the hallway...here's where it goes downhill.

We enter into the hallway after giving our tickets to the attendant and walk over to the soda/water machine. First of all, they wanted $3.00 for a bottle of water! After I got over that shock I tried to feed the machine three dollar bills but it wouldn't take them...it wouldn't even try to take them. So I trudged back to the concession stand and asked for three dollars worth of quarters...the machine still wouldn't take my money. So back I went and asked where else I could get water. She handed me a small cup and said that I could take the cup and get water out of the water fountain that was behind me! I almost laughed in her face. In the whole establishment's concession stand they did not have a single bottle of water nor did they have a water option on their soda machines (fountain drink machine). This was very annoying. So I had to get a lemonade which did not go well with sour fruit candy.

After spending who knows how much money on building such a great place you would at least think that they would have on hand one of the Earth's most important and plentiful resources...but no, it was there taunting me from behind the glass of the soda machine. Next time I'm taking my own water...and possibly my own candy...take that Seymour Turtle!

10 things I'm most thankful for...(not necessarily in order)

1. my wonderful, loving husband
2. family
3. health
4. great new job (Dawson + Wissmach Architects in Savannah)
5. amazing friends
6. my furry cats
7. the fact we can live remotely comfortable and we don't have to worry about where our next meal is coming from
8. we have the capacity and means to help others less fortunate
9. love
10. pie :o)

I've been topped...

So, last week I wrote about my crazy week and titled it "top this"...not really expecting anyone to try, but my mother managed to top my whole week with one of her crazy days. And the story goes...

My mother's ex-boss, let's just call her "evil Betty", issued out a warrant for my mom's arrest last Thursday. When my mom left her job Betty (who is a paranoid delusional) accused my mom of stealing some of her computer disks. She followed my mom out to her car and demanded that she open her gym bag and cooler to show her what was in them...can we say private property? Anyhow, Betty has accused my mom of "breach of trust with the intent to defraud". I guess my mom supposedly is going back to school to become a real estate agent so she can therefore use some bootlegged copy of a software system of a shriveled old hag whose reputation is less than stellar in the community...yeah, right.

So, on Monday my mom dutifully turned herself in at the police station at 10am. From there they took her IN HANDCUFFS to the jail where they made her change into an orange prison jumpsuit and sat her on a bench to wait for her bond hearing that was scheduled for 3pm. She was offered what she said "resembled food" but didn't accept it. At 4pm she was notified that the "victim" had been contacted. My mother was very confused as she said, "are you talking about the woman who put out the warrant for my arrest?" (since my mom is actually the victim). The woman said yes, and that Betty had requested/demanded to be at the bond hearing, but CONVENIENTLY couldn't make it until the next day! My mom naively says, " does this mean that I go home now and come back tomorrow morning?" (she's so cute). No, that ass bag made my mom spend the night in jail. At least she ended up in the "penthouse" which is a single cell.

So, there my mom is, sitting in her single cell, in an orange jumpsuit, on her cot. There is something SO wrong with this picture. Oh, did I mention that this woman has done this to three other women who have worked for her? Yep, that's right...and she's lost every case. The next morning my mom goes to her bond hearing and what do you think happened? BETTY DIDN'T SHOW UP! I knew she wouldn't. It is her way to twisting the system to make my mom spend the night in jail. Finally, my mom was released and returned home sounding very tired and weary. But, my mom always finds some way to turn things on a positive note...she made a new friend in jail...they exchanged e-mail addresses! Way to go mom, making contacts for Betty's demise! he he he

I'm just glad that she's home and safe. She does have a trial date set but is hoping that the charges will be dropped before it goes to trial. She has a great lawyer. Suffice it to say, everyone in my mom's life is pissed. Betty is always thinking that people are out to get her...what she doesn't realize is that now they really are...

If anyone else is outraged...please comment below...I will relay your condolences to my little convict! he he he...she sure trumped my week!

top this...

Monday:
1. spent all day sniffing toxic markers at work rendering a site plan...killed many brain cells
2. gym class...ouch...get free candy though

Tuesday:
1. get to work and spill packet of instant oatmeal all over kitchen (luckily I had a back up packet)
2. while making oatmeal, try to eat a mini banana muffin...choke and shoot muffin out my nose (then proceed to sniff and swallow what was left of it)
3. go to lunch at Atlanta Bread Co., while waiting for food I spill my whole cup of water all over my booth and table. ABC loses my order, then forgets about me twice, and messes up my order once. Takes 45 minutes to get my food (half a salad and a bowl of soup).
4. go to bank to deposit paycheck, get stuck behind bad, slow drivers. end up taking a 1 and a half hour lunch.
5. took Morgan's mom out for dinner for her birthday...roasted marshmellows at the table

Wednesday:
1. traffic jam on the way to work
2. Morgan couldn't leave work because he was too busy. I went to KFC for him, spent 30 minutes trying to get the order right...had a 15 minute lunch (I guess it made up for Tuesday's lunch)
3. gym class...ouch
4. spend night watching "Star Wars: Episode III" and stuffing face with pizza.

Thursday:
1. traffic jam on the way to work
2. go back to ABC for coffee and muffin with Morgan. Mess up both our drink orders (hot chocolate and a mocha - no chocolate in either drink)
3. my mom stands me up for lunch because she has a warrant out for her arrest....long story involving Betty Batson wrongly accusing her of stealing computer disks....I hate that woman. Apparently she has had warrants out to arrest at least three other women who have worked for her (lost all of the cases). My mom has to turn herself in to the police on Monday to get "processed" (mug shot, fingerprints...etc.)
4. try to meet Morgan for a last minute lunch at Dairy Queen but the atm was being worked on so I couldn't get cash. Dairy Queen charges you to use an atm card. Morgan refuses to have me unjustly charged so I don't get my ice cream...he says he wasn't hungry anyway.
5. on my way home, I am met with police cars blocking the 278 entrance to Buckwalter so I have to drive to 170, then 46, then take the back way, thus making my trip 30 minutes instead of five.
6. Morgan picks up dinner on the way home from work. He gets stuck in traffic...still waiting for him to return.

Friday:
any predictions?

The dark side does Savannah

Last night Morgan and I went to my co-workers Halloween party in Savannah, GA. Morgan in his Emperor costume and me in my Darth Vader/Vixen costume...the costumes were received well at the party. Everyone was saying how gross Morgan's mask was and how realistic it was, and according to one of the two or three pirates there, I had the best cleavage at the party (he also tried to pick me up two times right in front of Morgan). I think he said "with that cleavage you COULD rule the Empire". Funny, pirate, very funny. Morgan had a woman in a monkey mask try and kiss him...she also thought he was dressed as the devil ( he he he...I think that there was only one person at the party who knew exactly who Morgan was and it was a 8 year old boy). All in all we had a nice time. We didn't know that many people there so we basically stood around with each other...I was mostly hiding from the pirate, but there were some great costumes. Thanks Alison (my co-worker) for inviting us and may the force be with you...

I owe Morgan a lot more than a kiss...

Today I paid off my car!!!! I say "I" because I was the one who went down to the bank and gave them the money. It was actually Morgan who paid it off for me to help me with the upcoming burdon of my mortgage...I mean student loans. They are going to eat my soul for the next 25 years but the money that I am saving by paying my car off a year early is going to be very helpful. Morgan has given me this money without stipulations...but, those of you who know Morgan have to know that there will be a catch somewhere, sometime...and I'm sure we know along what lines his catch will be...(lifetime supply of Popeye's maybe?) I think I might have just made a deal with the devil...but he's the sweetest devil I've ever met!!! I love you Morgan!

Am I even responsible enough to be a role model?

Tonight I became a "guest speaker" for the first time in my life...and it was in front of the toughest crowd I could imagine...the girl scouts. Sure they look all cute and innocent but girls, especially 12 year old girls, can be brutal. Therefore, I was somewhat reluctant to stand in front of them and talk on architecture but they are working towards their architecture and environmental design badges and I was approached by one of my colleagues to speak with the girls. It was a great feeling to impart some of my $100,000 education onto them (it had to come in handy sometime, right!?) ...and they didn't laugh at me or make me cry so that's good! Damn you cookie fiends!

I'm superhero cool!

Your Superhero Profile

Your Superhero Name is The Golden Tornado Your Superpower is Cursing Your Weakness is Puppets Your Weapon is Your Star Darts Your Mode of Transportation is Llama

What's your Superhero Name?

Hey Tina! Come over here and eat your dinner you fat lard!

tread carefully

Recently my family has experienced some close calls on the road. Friday my mom was on the interstate and it only took a second for her to look away when her tire caught the edge of the shoulder and as she tried to merge back onto the road she over-corrected a couple of times and ended up losing control of the car, running into a ditch, flipping and rolling her car and smashing into trees. She was luckily wearing her seatbelt and her small dog that was in the car was thrown from the car but was miraculously unscathed. On being released from the hospital and going back to see her car she has no idea or reason as to why she survived. The car is completely unsalvageable.

Sunday night (yesterday) my brother in Idaho was in a bad car accident involving someone who ran a red light. He was lucky in that she hit the front end of his car on his side. A second later and he would have been hit straight on. Again, his car is totaled, but he walked away. He has some minor pain, but at least he has his life.

So, I'm begging everyone...PLEASE BE CAREFUL...I don't want this trend to continue!

digging up dirt

This weekend we took the opportunity to do some "Spring cleaning" (with our two season climate here, it may be Spring, I stopped paying attention...all I know is that it doesn't snow). We threw out a lot of junk as we were sorting, but we also found some great treasures. We found cards that we gave to each other when we were first dating, my old journals which recounted the time we have spent together, small gifts that we exchanged, and photos of each other. I think the photos were the most disturbing. Morgan was overly skinny and looked like a child and I was a bit chubby as I was trying to get my metabolism under control from my bout of anorexia when I was a teenager. Luckily over the years we have filled out and evened out. Fortunately, for all of you, we burned them so you wouldn't have to witness the horror...we were only thinking of you...the viewers (just kidding, we didn't burn them, but they are safe from the public). So what I will leave you with is a picture I came across of me at my first drafting table in Colorado. I was about three or four. I guess it was early on that I wanted to be an architect, or a superstar...nice shades, huh?

the lush bus

...Lost in time? More like lacking in sanity. Sunday Morgan and I embarked on an adventure of a lifetime. Not just because this was going to be my first NFL game, but rather because of our travels along the way. I am, for the sake of the people and their families, going to leave out names and associations, lest it be detrimental to them, but...you know who you are (and I shouldn't be so nice!).

Morgan and I caught a ride to the Denver Broncos game with a group belonging to a certain club on Hilton Head. They had chartered a bus to take them down to the game and through acquaintances we were able to secure two seats. This saved us money and the hassle of having to drive ourselves to Jacksonville. Looking back on it I'm positive we would have dared to give it a go ourselves.

We were warned that this particular group tended to be a "bit rowdy, raucous, and drunk" but I gave them the benefit of the doubt because after all, we were leaving at 7:30 in the morning. It couldn't be THAT bad...or could it? We arrived to the scene of a woman filling up her 16 oz. water bottles with vodka. She had, as she described, her bus bottle and her game bottle. The bus pulled out at eight and around two minutes after eight the first rounds of beer and bloody marys were being served. This combined with a man next to us chanting "Sponge Bob Square Pants...clap, clap...clap, clap, clap" over and over and whining because no-one brought a cartoon movie to watch on the way down. I honestly thought that he was mentally challenged for about an hour before I realized that he had just shown up drunk.

At ten we stopped for a smoke break because I guess these people can go all night while they sleep without a cigarette but not three hours for a bus trip. This was followed by an enthralling tale about a woman planning a bachelorette party for a friend and she had bought a cake pan in the shape of a penis and everything else imaginable. And I quote..."Let's just say that by the end of the day my stereo remote no longer had batteries in it". You get the picture. By the time we arrived it was 11:15 and the fourth round of drinks had come and gone. Time for us to jump ship. And we did just that.

The game was awesome...of course that's because we won, but it was a fantastic experience to be in that environment. Although next time I think it would be more fun to be in the stadium of the team you are rooting for (obviously). I think my favorite quote, and one that I had never heard of before was from a Jacksonville fan complaining of the referee's call..."Get off your knees ref., you're blowing all of the calls!"

Alas, as the game was winding down we knew the inevitable was coming. We would have to get back on the bus, for another three hours. We trodded back to the bus with the hope that most of the people would just pass out on the bus and leave us to ride in quiet. Boy were we wrong. It managed to just get louder.

We left at 5 p.m. to the chantings of Sponge Bob and the woman behind us crying over who knows what. I guess she's a mean drunk and a crier...so we were told. She kept screaming at a guy named Henry (I know I said no names but this is vital to the story). She would lean in between our seats and scream "Oh Henry, My candy bar!". Not only was this the most shrill voice but it came with the smell of alcohol emanating into our very small comfort zone...or shall I say uncomfortable zone.

Most of the people were more rowdy and I had never seen people knock back so many beers in such little time. At one time there was a chugging contest. While we were on our way out of town we were following the buses of the Denver Broncos who had a police escort, although most of the people on the bus thought that we were being pulled over. About an hour and a half into the trip home we had the "navigator and ringleader" try to get the bus to sing "row, row, row your boat" in rounds. Well, you can imagine how far that got...

Eventually it was time for the announcements and thanks to those who put the trip together. This started by the man who we shall call "Fishin' mission". This was the name of his boat (and the name embroidered on his shirt. He got everyone's attention first by almost falling down the stairs of the bus and then by calling, "Everyone on the boat...listen up". When he was corrected and told that we were not in fact on a boat but on a bus he replied "well, my boat is named Fishin' mission..." Was that supposed to make sense? I hope not.

So, at this point we had the bus singing Sponge Bob, Row, row, row your boat, the Eagles fight song all at one time and some deranged old man who thought we were on a boat and a crier screaming about her candy bar. At one point two men, Henry and Fishin' mission, came up to us and started yelling and being belligerent to Morgan and myself claiming that they shouldn't have let Morgan on the f*&(^% bus with a Bronco jersey on. They were basically sitting on my lap leaning over to him at which point Morgan grabbed Henry's hand and screamed "FIRST OF ALL, WHY ARE YOU SCREAMING?! I'M SITTING RIGHT HERE!!!" The man had no response to this and walked away.

We had another smoke break and really wished that the bus driver would just take off without them, I mean, would they even know the difference? We miraculously made it back to the island and to our cars. Morgan and I had smoke on our heels as we sprinted to our car to make sure we were long gone before any of them got into their cars. What I don't understand (among everything else) is that this group is a highly professional and respected group of people in the community (or so I've been told). I didn't quite see that. It was the most unprofessional group of people I've ever been around. It really felt as though were we babysitting children.

You know that trick that when parents don't want a child to do something like smoke for example, they make them smoke a whole pack of cigarettes so they get so sick and never do it again? Well, if anyone out there has a problem with alcohol...call us, boy do we have a contact number for you!

Craziest quote of the trip: "Well she didn't get all that cocaine in her nose by herself, I'll tell you that..."

who knew?

You are

What Rejected Crayon Are You?

GREEN!

Your Power Color Is Lime Green

At Your Highest: You are adventurous, witty, and a visionary. At Your Lowest: You feel misunderstood, like you don't fit in. In Love: You have a tough exterior, but can be very dedicated. How You're Attractive: Your self-awareness and confidence lights up a room. Your Eternal Question: "What else do I need in my life?"

What's Your Power Color?

Caroline Mae Haws

Congratulations to Jayna (my best friend from high school) and her husband Tyler on the arrival of their new baby! All are healthy and happy in Boise with lots of family and friends around them (I wish I could be there!). Caroline was born September 23rd, 2005 at 2pm Mountain Standard time and was 6 lbs., 12 oz. and 20 inches long. Jayna and Tyler also have a 2 year old (Grace) who is positively thrilled to have a little sister! Congratulations again!

mmmm...pig meat

Yesterday Morgan and I made a trip up to Columbia, SC with our friend Stacy to go to a USC football game (as posted on Morgan's blog). On the way there we stopped in Walterboro, SC for a late lunch at Duke's Barbeque. Now one of my weaknesses is bbq sauce as I will put it on just about anything so I was quite excited. We pulled up and as we walked in were immediately transported into a different way of living...real Southern living. Nothing much that I hadn't seen before though, except for the loaves of white bread on the table. That was about the most southern thing I think I've ever seen. I mean, they were still in their plastic bags from the grocery store, one just thrown on to each table. It was awesome. That and the man behind us in the next booth with a "Hog-O" t-shirt. I think it was some local company but it had something to do with hogs and pigs and a store and Morgan thought that it was just the funniest thing he's ever seen.

They have a large buffet with fried chicken, fried okra, onion rings, corn fritters, hush puppies, pulled pork (with about nine different sauces to choose from), cabbage, collard greens, green beans, mac and cheese, potato salad, coleslaw, and much more...i can't really remember it all. It was immense. Morgan nearly ate his way out of the restaurant. I didn't have any of the white bread but I have to admit that their pulled pork was some of the best I've ever had.

Boring!

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile but one thing about me that everyone should know is that I'm a great procrastinator, a perfectionist, and I like feedback. Those facts combined (plus between work and the gym) makes it difficult for me to post. I hardly have any desire to post anything when I never know if anyone actually reads what I write. Noone besides Morgan has ever commented...well, Andy did once, so how am I supposed to know that what I'm writing is actually read? It's really easy to do...you just click on the link below any entry that say "comments". This usually has a "0" by it. Once you click on that you can sign in as yourself or you can post anonymously, and if you don't know how to sign in as yourself, post anonymously and tell your name in your comments. For the love of God will someone comment? Then I might get an urge to start writing something. On the other hand, if all of my blogs are completely boring and annoying, please tell me that I'm wasting your time because that means I'm wasting mine as well...just a thought.

I'm so going back to being a vegetarian

So, I could almost forgive the girl who walked into Dairy Queen and stood in line behind us, then proceeded to ask the employee behind the counter (in a nasty, irritated voice) "Do you have anything non-dairy?" I mean, at least she knew that she was at Dairy Queen, even though it was a ridiculous question and Daphne and I had to leave immediately since we were laughing so hard...i mean...it's DAIRY Queen.

Like I said, at least she knew where she was. Today, Morgan and I decided to have lunch at Chick-fil-A. Always a safe, clean, predictable environment...or so we thought. I drove into the parking lot and was stuck behind a car that was moving unnecessarily slow. That should have been my first sign that something was amiss. Morgan and I made it into the restaurant before the slow drivers, who were elderly and needed a little more time to move around...that's understandable. So, they end up standing behind us in line. We place our order and are waiting for our food at the counter when we hear the employee next to us talking to the elderly couple saying "This is Chick-fil-A, all we have is chicken". I guess they had inquired about beef. We had a slight chuckle, maybe they had never been to a Chick-fil-A before... that's understandable.

We figured that their question was answered and that they would order chicken and eat their lunch and the incident was over until we heard the same employee say "No, this isn't McDonald's". Ok, at this point it's getting sketchy. This couple didn't just try and order beef, but actually thought that they were in a completely different restaurant, even though they had driven (slowly) around the parking lot, and it's a pretty hard parking lot to find. Actually, the McDonald's parking lot is much easier to find and only about a quarter of a mile down the road. So, once again when they found out that it wasn't McDonald's, we figured they would still just order something and eat there. No. They then proceeded to ask for directions to McDonald's and leave the restaurant. I guess they just had a hankering for beef.

So, the slow driving is understandable, the confusion of no beef items on the menu at a fast food restaurant is understandable, traveling to...decidedly maneuvering around the parking lot...walking into the building that has a huge sign saying "Chick-fil-A"...and ordering an item that is listed on a competitor's menu...isn't really understandable.

Morgan turned to me after they had left and said, "I guess I should have known something was wrong when I heard the guy talking to his wife about a quarter pounder with cheese". Man I hope those people aren't from around here, because I don't want to be stuck behind them at Hargray while they're trying to pay their electric bill...

hot-lanta and cold broncos

So, ok...the broncos fell a little short, I can't say that I'm sad because right as they were tripping over their feet on the football field I was stuffing my face full of bruschetta and chicken marsala at the Cheesecake Factory in Atlanta. Sorry BSU, but there will be better games.

My friend Daphne called me from the game, it was about 2pm and, as she stated, "I'm a little hammered" (that's good for a "Georgia" fan). But, she was telling me about all the nice Boise people she was meeting and that she was proud to say that her best friend was from Idaho. Thanks Daphne.

So, Brenda and I took the four hour trek to Atlanta for a three day weekend of fun and relaxation. Unfortunately we didn't get any relaxation (more exhaustion) but we had tons of fun so that made up for it. We left my apartment in Bluffton around 6:45 in the morning and made it to Atlanta in four hours. We checked into the hotel and had some lunch and then we went to the High Museum of Art which was designed by Richard Meier.They had great exhibits and the building was pretty impressive. There was a jazz festival going on just down the block so we stopped by and listened to the music for awhile before heading over to the new IKEA store that just opened. That was a flippin' zoo. We drove around town a little and over to Virginia Highlands and did just a bit of shopping before making our way to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner. That concluded day one!

On Sunday we went to Six Flags Over Georgia. We got there when it opened and left when it closed! Man were my feet hurting. We rode most of the rides and had to take dramamine after one of them and take it easy for awhile. You know how they say "what goes around, comes around"? Well, Morgan was jealous that I was going to Six Flags without him because I was going to ride the Superman ride. This roller coaster angles you so that once you are in the seat, it moves you so you are facing down to the ground, so when you are moving, it's like you're flying through the air. We, of course, rode in the front and it was awesome! And, I think very comfortable. So we went back a second time to ride it. I decided to call Morgan from the line while we were waiting so I could brag about riding it and that we were going to ride it again...can anyone say "karma". We got on the ride and I started talking to Brenda about how comfortable the seats were and that if we got stuck in that position it wouldn't be so bad...ha! So the ride went off without a hitch but when it was over and they tried to put us back into the sitting position so we could get out, something malfunctioned and we were in that position for about 15 minutes. Just hanging there looking at the ground. Let me tell you...that was not comfortable. Damn it...why did I have to call Morgan? So, to make up for it I made him a t-shirt that says "my wife rode superman...without me". he he he. Without me was an afterthought.

On Monday we went back to Virginia Highlands and we also stopped by Little Five Points to do some shopping. We finally made it home late last night and we had a blast! A perfect mini trip to mark the end of summer...

Another Boise State...FIRST DOWN!!!

As I get ready to leave for a "mini break" to Atlanta with my friend Brenda, I have to say a little something about the most important time for Boise State University to win a football game. Although I will be busy going to museums, shopping, and going to Six Flags...I will be thinking of Boise State and rooting them on. Tomorrow at 5:30pm they are in Athens, Georgia to face the University of Georgia Bulldogs.

I could have gone to this game but I value my life too much to venture to that part of the state. "Georgia" fans (if you can call them that) are some of the rudest, scariest people I've ever met...and I'm sad to say that my good friend Daphne from SCAD has now joined the cult at UGA in the landscape architecture department. Traitor! I put "Georgia" in quotations because that is what they call their school. When they are asked where they go to school they respond, "Georgia". Now if you aren't from around this area you would think that these people are just downright stupid...yeah, buddy, but where in Georgia? They are so egotistical that they believe they are the only school in Georgia...maybe they are just stupid...sorry Daphne, you're mainly excluded but now that you have put a UGA sticker on your car you are walking a fine line.

So, the fans in Athens are the most republican, mean-spirited, stuck up, conservative people I've come across thus far...I'm sure there are nice UGA fans out there but if you are nice, you're not a true fan. If you drive through the town with a democratic bumper sticker you WILL be run off the road or be cussed at or have trash thrown at your car. And, if you're at the game...forget it, you better be ready to run for your life if you are on the other side since the UGA fans are drunk by 8 am. Doesn't that sound like a good time? Well, I don't think so.

So, I am opting to stay away from Athens as much as I would have loved to go. Unfortunately I will be traveling as well so I can't even watch the game on t.v. I know...I'm a bad BSU fan. All I can say is that they better beat the Bulldogs asses so I can piss some of these southern people off! I can sink to their level...well, not to the drunk by 8 am. But, I will be an hour and a half away (a safe distance) and rooting on my team. Go Broncos!!!

haggis...the breakfast of champions

Scotland...the final frontier...these are the voyages of the Americans abroad, to seek out ancestors and scotch...to boldly get into a car with a grandfather who can do no wrong behind a wheel...watch out sheep! he stops for noone!

Three weeks ago I returned from a glorious week in Scotland with my grandparents (father's side) and my cousin Sierra who lives in Denver. Grandma and Granddad were so generous in asking us to escort them abroad...their treat! It was a good thing they had us around too! We kept them out of trouble...ha (don't think I'm kidding either).

Sierra and I joined them when we flew into Glasgow Airport, they had been waiting for us, having travelled by boat from New York City to England with friends of theirs. They spent time in London and then drove up to meet us. After we got situated for about five minutes, I joined them downstairs in the dining room of the hotel for breakfast...and tried a traditional Scottish breakfast which consisted of sauteed mushrooms, boiled/steamed tomatoes, baked beans, haggis (loose, not in a block and sliced), two other kinds of sausage, blood pudding, and runny eggs. holy crap...I'm so not kidding. I tried a little of everything and made sure I got it out of the way so I wouldn't have to try it again. I was still jet lagged so I was a little more daring in my exhausted state. It was best that way because I don't really remember much of the haggis...thankfully. For those of you who don't know what it is...let's just say...take a sheep's stomach...and grind it up...yummy.

Our first stop was Lochwinnoch where the Semple ancestors made their claim to fame. It is the site of the Semple grounds where the Semple Castle used to sit. The town is situated in the countryside around Castle Semple Loch. The Semple castle was torn down when it was no longer fashionable to live in a castle and the Semple Castle House/Estate was constructed. Unfortunately the main part of the house burned down but there are still the wings which people now use as residences. There is a gate that still stands and the garden house where we saw the remnants of the walled gardens that once stood. The owner is in the works of rebuilding them and showed us the plans...which Grandma ate up...being a landscape architect. We also visited the Semple Collegiate Kirk, which is the church on the grounds, and we were lucky enough to go deep into the Semple grounds to the "grotto" where our tour guide gave us a gift of a tree and let us plant it on the grounds. I guess it has become a ritual for all Semples who visit. It was very moving. A major thanks the Len who helped us and without whom our tour of the grounds would have been incomplete. We stayed at the Beltrees Bed and Breakfast in Lochwinnoch and the owners (the Mackies) are some of the sweetest people I've ever met. My favorite part was on Saturday night, Mary opened all of the windows and blasted Scottish music and danced about...it was classic. I guess this had been a tradition in her house while she was growing up. Reminded me of "So I Married an Axe Murderer".

After one and a half days of Semple history we drove to Oban, a town on the water where we took a ferry boat (with our car) over to the Isle of Mull. Every minute was an adventure. Whether we were exploring on foot...or by car. Especially by car. Can I just say that curbs on the side of a highway is not a good idea, especially when you put a grandfather behind the wheel and put him on the other side of the car and road! We seriously almost died...but what doesn't kill us makes us stronger right? My favorite quote of the trip was when we were going through the small town of Tarbet on the way to Oban and he ran up on a curb to avoid traffic. My grandmother said "you're on the curb" and his response was..."well, yes, that's because the cars are in my way!". Did he know that there's a reason for that? It was a line of traffic waiting to turn left....oh well.

So once we were on the Isle of Mull we encountered what I can only describe as the road system from hell. The main "highway" consists of one lane...not one lane each way...one lane for both directions!!! Let's just say we had a few more encounters where our lives flashed before our eyes on the one hour trip to the port to Iona. When we arrived at the port, we took a pedestrian ferry over to the isle of Iona, where a very large, restored Abbey is located. It is said that some 70 kings from different countries are buried there. It was fascinating. We spent a couple hours there and then took the long drive on the crazy highway to Tobermory...a beautiful seaside town.

We spent a full day in Tobermory shopping and touring a distillery...grandma had my free drink of scotch at the end of the tour...got my grandma all liquored up! We had a very relaxing day and the architecture was beautiful! From Tobermory we left the Isle of Mull using the same ferry boat (and same crazy, sketchy man behind the food counter...ugh) over to Oban and then drove 4 hours to Stonehaven, another seaside town but on the East coast. We has spent most of our time on the West coast of Scotland. We stayed at the Arduthie House bed and breakfast which was the most beautiful house, with gardens out front. Sierra and I took a stroll through the town and they have great shops and great food! The breakfast in the morning was amazing. The owner of the bed and breakfast made his famous porridge which he had to soak the oats overnight to make it perfect...and it was perfect. The morning we left Stonehaven, we drove first to Crathes Castle...finally...we toured a Scottish castle. They had the most exquisite gardens. From there we visited the Craigievar Castle which at one time the Semple name was associated. Our family has since been separated from the castle through generations but it still held some Semple history....ok...by now, if you haven't figured it out, my maiden name is Semple...sorry for any confusion I may have caused so far. At the end of that long day we drove back to the hotel at the Glasgow airport where we had started this whirlwind trip...but, it's not over yet!!!

Friday was our last day there and Sierra and I took leave from the old folks (he he he) and took the bus into the city of Glasgow. We were like kids in a candy shop, released to explore every bit we could. This was finally my day to visit architectural gems by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, a world famous architect from Scotland. We started at his most famous building...The Glasgow School of Art. I can remember studying this building in my architecture classes at school but to actually be there was amazing. Sierra and I took a guided tour and then I bought basically the whole gift shop. Oops. From the art school we walked down to the McLellan Art Gallery that had an exhibition of Mackintosh's artwork as well as his wife's artwork. They had gone to the Glasgow School of Art and along with them, his wife's sister, and another friend, they were known as the "Glasgow Four". After the art gallery we walked across the street to one of the The Willow Tea Rooms that Mackintosh designed. It was not in it's original state but had been reconstructed to look as it did when it was first built. We were lucky enough to eat lunch there...it was amazing. The Lighthouse was the next destination after lunch. This is an addition to one of Mackintosh's buildings and is Scotland's center for architecture and design. They had a whole floor dedicated to Mackintosh's work...from his architecture, to furniture, to watercolors, all the art that he created. We climbed the 135 stairs of a tower (why they call it the Lighthouse) and had a panoramic view of Glasgow...it was like being just above the rooftop of the city...priceless. By the end of the day I had Sierra recognizing Mackintosh architecture and artwork! I guess I had been preaching and teaching...just a little! he he he.

This trip was an unforgettable adventure...one that could not have been the same without my grandparents. I'm so thankful that I have them in my life....and that they didn't kill me with granddad's driving...sorry granddad. I love you guys!!!

Do I look amused?

The answer is...who knows? This is one of my staple expressions. Today lets call it the expression of frustration and utter annoyance. I have finally ventured into the land of cyberspace...with little ease or help from the actual technology. I recruited Morgan's help to usher me into this new world and all it gave us was a big fat NO! WE DON'T WANT YOUR KIND attitude...i mean, seriously, how hard is it to upload a flippin' photo?

Anyway, I am up and running now and can share my riveting and completely useless information to all who don't really care but will read it anyway because they say they are my friends and know that I will quiz them on it later...

All I have to say to the internet is...be careful, choose your battles with me wisely...after all, there are other internets I can take my business to...isn't that right, Mr. President?