Punkin is a Party Animal!!!

Last weekend, Punkin and I went to Tallahassee with my girlfriend, PT, for FSU's homecoming. We had a blast! AND I saw a side of Punkin I never thought I'd see...

First he had to help me pack for the trip. He likes red, so there was alot of it in the bag.


He's pretty good at being a passenger. I did have to tell him to sit still a time or two, but other than that he rode like a dream.


We stopped outside Moultrie, GA for lunch. Punkin loves Subway, so he was tickled to find one. Look at that first bite!! Yikes!

Once he got a full belly he was ready for a nap. Here you see him giving us the evil eye-- he said "Please quit gabbing long enough for me to get some sleep!" We obliged.

Once we arrived at the hotel, Punkin was ready to party. Of course, he had to wait on us to get ready -- he had his nap. We were worn out!

So he watched a little TV while we freshened up.

Then he hogged the bathroom for about 30 minutes. He kept saying "Perfection takes time." I was about ready to pop him before he finally decided we could go.

Punkin and I shared a Bloody Mary...

But he hogged the second one.

And the cheesesticks? Forget it... they were all for him.

After dinner we headed to the campus for a pre-PowWow drink. PowWow is their pep rally where they crown homecoming queen and king. We didn't want to atten all the festivities so we went to a bar called Potbellies first... it was the perfect name for a Pug's first outing don't you think?

He discovered Bud Light and we realized we had created a monster.

Before Jimmy Fallon made his appearance, Punkin decided he wanted another Bud Light -- or two. He buttered us up with his cute little begging face, and then...

He tried to keep me and PT away from our drinks. The Lush.

We enjoyed the show - even though Jimmy had some technical difficulties. Punkin enjoyed it very much... we rolled in around 1 a.m. and hit the sack.

The next morning, Punkin drove me nuts until I went and got him some coffee.

If you know pugs, they have to have a lap to sit in. He found PT's FSU doll quite comfy. And she looks like she doesn't mind. I mean, how can you deny that face?

PT took us on a tour of Tallahassee. We went to the capital where Punkin tried to make a speech. It didn't go over very well... only PT and I were there to hear it.

All the speech giving and walking made Punkin a thirsty boy.

In the FSU bookstore, he found a few more ladies to adore him. They were cheerleaders, too! He thought he had hit the mother lode.

This is the dorm where PT used to stay. I asked him if I could take his picture with it... all he kept saying was "does this building make my butt look big?" A vain lush... great.

This bronze is the founder of FSU and the grandson of Thomas Jefferson. We couldn't tell if Punkin wanted to give him advice or whisper sweet nothings... and he won't tell.

Finally it was tailgate time. Punkin drank a couple of Bud Lights...

... and got a little crazy....

We had to sober him up before we went into the stands. Here he is waiting patiently for the game to start.

He did look around a little... here he is saying "Why are all those folks on the field?"

And he was fascinated with the band... see them over there? And yes... he has on an FSU shirt. He was COLD... and look at his cute little butt tattoo!

The game finally started and he sat patiently between me and PT. It was hard for him to see... he finally got too cold and I put him in my jacket. That is where he stayed - nice and warm.

I can't wait to share more stories with you. He's ready for another trip!

Introducing my new travel companion

I'm leaving in the morning for Tallahassee for a girl's weekend. My girlfriend, PT, is a Florida State Alum and she asked me to go with her to their homecoming game.

I am so excited! NO hubby, kids or responsibilities. Lots of bars, football, and people watching. FUN!

We even got tickets to see Jimmy Fallon!!! OMG!!!

Sooooo... we have a companion going along with us. He's been aching to get out of the house for a loooong time. All he ever does is sit next to me while I play on the computer. He's told me he is sick of Guild Wars, Pirates and all the other games we play. He wants to explore!

So I told him we'd give it a shot this weekend.

Everyone, I'd like for you to meet Punkin McSmushface.

Punkin is going to start going with me - and the family - everywhere so you can see our adventures. You can call him a traveling correspondant so to speak.

He's getting ready to go... he filled up on his dinner....

MMMMM... ham, onion and pineapple pizza! A feast made in heaven!

And now he is sitting here with me while I type this post.

We have to get upstairs and finish packing. Come back in a couple of days and he'll let you know how the trip went!

And for those of you on Facebook? He's going to have his own page soon for all the photos he is going to have. Be on the lookout -- if you want to be his friend.

My run of bad luck followed me home

I am so happy to be home. The return trip was just as eventful as the time in LA. Want to know what happened?

Before I get started, however, I must say I haven't watched Lost yet. Carl recorded it for me. I just haven't had the opportunity to watch. Once I do, I'll post my thoughts... I know you are DYING to know them!!

Anywhoo-

The trip home started OK. I got to the airport, posted my thoughts about the trip, called my buddy in VA to make sure she was OK and then boarded the plane.

I sat down in my window seat. There was an empty seat in between myself and another lady. As I got settled in I smelled something nasty. I couldn't figure out what it was and started subtly sniffing around. I took a peek at my seat mate and realized she was clutching her stomach and looking at the quickest routes to the bathroom. I thought to myself "Great. She is sick to her stomach. I hope she doesn't puke!"

But it was worse.

As I watched her out of the corner of my eye I saw her look down the front of her jeans. And then roll up her shirt... where there was something ON IT. She took a kleenex and tried to clean it up.

After doing a little more looking, I realized she had on a wig. That is when it hit me. She either had or has cancer and I think she had a colostomy bag that had leaked on her. She smelled sooo bad. She got up and went to the bathroom, but it didn't do any good. I had to ride for 2.5 hours to Denver with my jacket over my nose and mouth. I couldn't move seats -- it was a pretty full flight. I didn't want to embarrass her, and I couldn't smell anything as long as my nose was covered. She put a blanket over her which helped, too. But when we landed and she threw it off --- OMG -- the green cloud that descended over the cabin... it was horrifying. I don't know if anyone else was affected, but it was killing me.

My mom described the smell perfect -- it smelled like a septic tank.

Sorry if that made you sick... the rest isn't as bad.

Finally, we get to Denver. I rushed off the plane to clean air... and SNOW. I couldn't believe how hard it was snowing. To me it looked like white out conditions, but I'm a Georgia girl. My state shuts down with just an inch of snow... this was so much more than that.

Needless to say, we were stranded on the plane for well over an hour before we could be de-iced and take off. We finally landed in ATL 2 hours late... and the pilot said he was "speeding" to get us there. I looked at the inflight map at one point and we were going 550 knots per hour. WOW!

Once we landed I got my bag and headed to the shuttle to go to my car. I parked in a lot that was three traffic lights from the highway. Wouldn't you know the city was doing resurfacing of that street and had it shut down to one lane both ways. I needed to turn left, but NO. I had to turn right and go back to the airport to get on another highway to get home.

THEN I get in my little city and some kind of road work was going on. I was stuck in traffic with no one doing any kind of traffic control. I called Carl raising hell and he got someone to come and let ME through... it pays to "KNOW" people. Hee.

My plane was supposed to land at 8:01 and I was supposed to be home no later than 9:30. Well... We landed at 10 and I got home at 11:15.

I hope all my bad luck is said and done. I don't want anything to happen the rest of the week... or to mess up my vacation next week...

If you are still reading this... thank you! I'm glad to be home. I'll post pictures soon.

Homeward bound

I'm sitting in the John Wayne airport contemplating the past week. I have to admit I am a little disappointed with myself.

I could have planned some excursions on my own. I could have gone to the Santa Monica Pier or to the Queen Mary (I tried that one but they only have the tours during the day or the one I wanted to do - hauntings - on the weekends). I could have done many things but I didn't.

Why?

Because I'm alone. I didn't have anyone to share the experience with. That is a major lame ass excuse to some, but being in a strange city is slightly terrifying for me. I'm a native Atlantan... I can show you that city to the hilt. But going someplace that I have only seen on TV or in movies, and one that is - in my mind - larger than life is extremely intimidating.

I did get to do some touring... via a car with a couple of the ladies that work here. They were great hostesses and tried to take me past some of the most well known places. The pictures will be disappointing... they are street signs and buildings. But more on that tomorrow once I get the photos downloaded.

I got to eat at a WONDERFUL Mexican restaurant that was established in 1923 called El Cholo. I'm not a huge fan of enchiladas but my tour guides talked me into trying one and I was NOT disappointed. If you know me, you know Mexican is my favorite... and this was the best I have ever had. Their salsa was a little meh - but the food itself was amazing. I've also heard their margaritas are the best, but I didn't get to sample one... *** pout ***

I also missed a major event I wish I had known about. I was watching the news this morning and it came on that last night was the premier of Iron Man at Grauman's Chinese Theater (yeah -- read the first line of that article. Makes me feel so much better.) Robert Downey, Jr. was there (one of my top 5) as was Gwyenth Paltrow and other stars of the show. If I had known I would have sooooo been there!!!

For now just know that I am embarrassed for myself. In hindsight I can't believe what a silly little chicken shit girl I have been this week. I wish I could do it all over. I'll come back out again and really do something fun... whether I am alone or not.

LA and I do not get along

I'm not a happy camper. You already know I got a parking ticket when I went to Venice Beach. Well, that was the beginning of some bad luck.

Let me explain...

Yesterday I was walking to lunch with a couple of folks from my meetings. My shoe started feeling funny -- like something was stuck on the bottom of it. These shoes are cute little ballet flats with elastic that criss crosses the top. Well... the sole of my shoe is flapping... and it comes completely off. I was mortified!

Then on the way back from lunch the other shoe does the same. exact. thing. I was walking around a business meeting with sole-less shoes. Unbelievable.

Now this morning- it is 7:30 here - I was drying my hair. I had the TV on, my straigtening iron plugged in, and a heat lamp going in the bathroom (I was cold, OK)... and guess what! Guess!!!

I blew a fuse!!

As I am typing this I am sitting in the dark with my hair halfway dry. My battery is running low on the laptop, and I want to cry! I called the front desk (for the second time) and was told that their maintenance people don't get here until 8 so there is nothing they can do...

I have to go out in public with my poodle hair to get breakfast and coffee... then wait to see if someone ever shows up to give me some electricity.

I have to be in the office at 10!!! And I haven't ironed my pants yet. Something told me to do it last night, but hell no... Deadliest Catch was on and I just haaaaadddd to watch it.

I'm supposed to go to Hollywood today for ride alongs. The girls I'm riding with said they would take me to where I can get pictures of the sign. They are going to take me to City Walk or some other location for lunch so I can possibly see some stars. Fun, right?

Well. On the news this morning (which I got to see some of before the flippen fuse blew) it is being reported that there is a structure fire at Hollywood and Vine!!! Lovely!!! Just my luck. I might not get to go down there after all. I'll find out when I meet the girls at 10... if I decide to leave the hotel...

Oy.

I keep telling myself "This is an adventure. This is an adventure."

Quit laughing.

Update: As of 8:15 I have electricity. I know longer look like a poodle, my pants are ironed and I am ready to see some sights... and work, of course.

But I still got to watch

Hey all!

I'm in Columbia, SC waiting to head to the airport to come home. It has been a very productive trip, but I'm ready to sleep in my own bed.

And head to LA on Monday.

I did get to watch Lost last night. I made sure I was back in the hotel and hopped up on coffee. So here are my thoughts... Spoilers ahead.

• What a brutal murder! I was completely shocked that it happened -- but not nearly as much as Ben.
• Guess we know how and why Ben and Sayid are working together...
• Does the timeline work? Sayid searched for his wife for 8 years... it was 2005 when the funeral happened...
  
• How did they meet again? How did she die? I know she was murdered, but how...
• I think Desmond may have something to say about Ben killing Penny. But with Dez still on the island...where does that put Penny?
• How cute was big ol' Hurley holding sweet little Aaron?
• And I was shocked at how protective Sawyer was of Hurley! Guess the big, tough guy has a soft heart after all.
• Smokey is BACK! And what a bad ass!!!
• Where did Ben go to release him? He went into the secret room within the secret room and came back all dirty.
  
• Could he have Smokey penned someplace? But how? It is SMOKE!!!
• Loved, loved, loved the look on Sawyer's face when Ben grabbed the gun from the piano bench. I laughed out loud...
• But of course I love, love, love Sawyer's face anytime...
• So Jack's appendix bursts next week... we know he doesn't die, but what is going to happen? Will Juliette take over as leader? Will she operate on him?
• How much do you LOVE Bernard for knowing morse code. I wanted to yell "Gotcha!!!"

Alright... that's all I've got for now. I have the local news on the tv and the weather guy is doing the Chicken Dance.... I kid you not.

I need to go home. Now.

Leavin'

It's been approved. I'm definitely going to LA on April 28 and I'll be there until May 1. I'm in the middle of getting all my reservations in order. Can corporate policy be any more confusing? All I need is a flight, car and hotel... why are there so many flippen restrictions?! I know there are crooks out there, but I'm not one of them!

Anyhoo...

If you live in the Cerritos area and know of good places to eat, give me a shout.

And how far away is that from The Ivy? I may want to join the paparazzi for a day or two.