Saturday, January 31, 2009

FBR Open

So the big thing in Phoenix every February is the FBR Open - currently being shown on CBS as I type this.   Last year I knew several people who attended, but since it was my first February in Phoenix, I kinda thought, oh, that's nice, watching golf, huh.  Okay.  

This year I attended, and I found out why this tournament is called the rowdiest on the PGA Tour.  It's so. much. fun.  For one day, I was glad to live in Phoenix.  

First off, FBR means Mel is in town to work the event for one of her clients.  Yay for old college roomates!  I think we survived the sophomore year apartment debacle maybe the best out of everyone.  Thankfully all of Henle 8 remain friends now.  I hadn't seen Mel in years, so it was great to catch up.  We had dinner at Cowboy Ciao on Monday (they have Dr Pepper in bottles, made with real cane sugar.  Kind of my dream drink!), hit Greasewood Flat on Tuesday and Wednesday at FBR I took a really funny picture at her booth which I'll post when I receive it!

So...the actual event.  My coworker received an invite from one of the corporate sponsors which equals a tent filled with free food and drinks all day and great seating on the 17th hole.  Sure, I walked around a bit, but didn't stray too far.  Beautiful sunny day, sitting near a pond, chowing on delicious chocolate mousse cake and watching the Pro-Am go by - totally worth not going into the office.  And since it's Chinese New Year and work was slow....yeah.  That worked out well!
George Lopez played in the Pro-Am, I guess he does most years.  We caught him putting while Luke Wilson looked on.  Sadly, I missed Josh Duhamel.  Oh well...... the celeb team ended up winning that day.  What a life.  
Below is the infamous 16th hole, probably the loudest hole of any course in the country.  This year it's fully enclosed by seating, so there's no escaping the noise.  

Hottest player in the tournament, Camilo Villegas. 
After the day wrapped up, we grabbed our VIP passes and headed to the after party at the Birds Nest. More free food, drinks, bands, DJs and amazing people-watching that goes on til all hours of the night. We called it a day around 10pm. I'm already scheming for next year, cause it's totally awesome. And maybe I'll work on my golf game now.....this could be good. 

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Musical Monday

So I'm technically a day late, but with good reason.  Ms. Liz is in town!  And we have more important things to do than update blogs.  I have plenty to write, but it will have to wait.  

Today runs a little more Top 40 than normal, but everything Rihanna touches turns to gold and I really dig Rehab.

Then I saw the video for Rehab.

And let's just say that I really, super amazingly, can't stop watching Rehab and may do so every day for the rest of my life.

Thank you, Justin Timberlake, for once again participating in an amazing collaboration.  I very much appreciate your efforts.  

Monday, January 19, 2009

Musical Monday

One of my latest favorites, I can't help but dance during the chorus. I've been hearing "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You" by these guys for months on the now online-only Indie 103 in LA, and this track "Hurricane Jane" kinda rules. Enjoy the video with Black Kids.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

It's Not What You Think

You know how a couple days after you have a long make-out session with a guy who has even the slightest bit of stubble, the skin around your nose and chin gets all dry and flaky and it's pretty obvious what you've been doing?

Yeah, that's that state of my face right now.

But WITHOUT the hot make-out benefit.

Apparently I didn't know Kleenex had the exact same effect.  Le sigh.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Home on the Blueberry Farm

Christmas at home was good. Lots of changes since I was home last, over 2 years ago. 

First up, our land/blueberry farm.  The first couple pics were taken this fall, when my grandparents and aunts from AZ went to visit my parents.  It's kinda beautiful.  I've already promised to go back in June for the big harvest, plus my 10 year high school reunion.  Yikes!

My favorite little Honey dog, who turned 7 this year.  Time for the mid-life crisis!

Best part of Christmas day, getting to talk to this sibling, who's down in Argentina for two years.  Although Tanner gets to email his family every week, he only gets to call home twice a year.  We got to talk for about an hour, the entire family on one conference line.  He sounded a little homesick and said he had to take a cold shower that morning to try and make it feel like Christmas.  It's really hot there right now and their apartment doesn't have air conditioning.  He's sort of getting the hang of Spanish now, but I think he needs a couple more months to be completely comfortable.  He still loves what he's doing though, and isn't ready to come home anytime soon. 
Tanner's job used to be to rice the potatoes.....I got to take over this year.
Mom waited until I got home to decorate the tree.  I can't remember the last time I did that.
Caught up with the BFF who now has a husband and a 1-year old.  It was a little strange going home this time around; I'm used to meeting up with old high school friends and hanging out.  Now most people have spouses and kids and spent their Christmas doing the family.  Granted, I loved spending so much time with my parents, but I kinda missed the old reunions with old friends.  Minon's an exception though, we will always, always meet up!

My dad just built a new office in town; it's been all my parents could talk about for the last several months, and finally I got to see it in the flesh.  Apparently it's the talk of the town too; probably the nicest building in the county.  Well done, parents.
Posted by Picasa

The Christmas Train

I'm finally back from 3 weeks of traveling and it's time to catch up on the blog.

To get into the Christmas spirit here in the still warm state of Arizona, I went to the Scottsdale Train Park for a Winter Wonderland back in December.  More like Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory tunnel ride through some lights....
There were lots of children, which have been known to freak me out a bit, however I was surrounded with fun people and hot chocolate.  

When's the last time I went on a carousel?  Actually, back in October.  Not that long ago.  Hmm...
I'm writing while sick, which should explain the lack of enthusiasm.

Friday, January 09, 2009

From Guatemala to NYC, via Belize, in One Day

36 hours ago I was in Chichicastenango, up in the mountains of Western Guatemala.

Technically I haven't showered since Wednesday.

I left Chichi on Thursday afternoon, trekked through Antigua, Guatemala City, Flores, Belize City, Miami and now back to Brooklyn.

2 buses (uno de lujo overnight y el otro de primera clase), 2 tourist shuttle vans (one with burning brakes as we went up and down very steep, curvy roads that weren't always paved, the other that arrived late and made me think we'd miss our overnight connection), a taxi that kept turning off when we came to a stop, 2 airplanes, a run through customs, a subway, and a very cold 20 minute walk home with the clothes I was wearing when I left balmy Belize City, while carrying at 35lb backpack.

It's good to be back in America, er, I mean I was in America, so we'll go with it's good to be back in the EEUU.

2023 Recap

Oh, hey there. It's been awhile. I disappeared for a bit. Everyone's doing their 2023 year in review today, and I figured I'd ju...

StatCounter