Today was fairly low key regarding classes. We attended sessions in the morning and were scheduled to work as volunteers through the lunch meeting. When we went to the volunteer/registration counter to sign in, we were told that we weren't needed...that the election of officers for the group was not going to require more than a few people and that they had that covered. Hooray! We didn't want to do it anyway, so this allowed us to eat and get out of there a whole lot quicker.
After the crazy lunch of a lasagna piece with a blanched carrot and string bean on top (really, that is what it was!) and a strange cookie-crust custard thing, we grabbed my son and husband and took off.
We went to the Stratosphere to ride the rides. Seriously. If you've ever been to Las Vegas, you'll know the Stratosphere is on the north end of the strip and towers above the landscape. About ten years ago, at another conference at the same hotel, I went with my daughter to ride the Big Shot on the top of the Stratosphere. Back then there were two rides on the top - the Big Shot and a roller coaster than curled around the top. I would never in a million years have done the coaster. I mean, come on! It was insane to think about it. Here's some footage of the coaster from YouTube:
But the Big Shot just goes straight up and straight back down. You start on concrete, you land on concrete if the worst should happen. Seems better, somehow, than going in a circle around the outside edge of the top of the building and if you fell, it'd be straight down to the street. Here's a sample of the ride from YouTube:
It goes up so fast, it's insane. I had forgotten that part, however, when I agreed to go again with my son. It is one incredible rush and my son, who had never been on the ride, yelled as loud as he could. Didn't help, but made him feel better.
To make it worse, he wanted to ride their newest ride, Insanity. Here's how this one goes, once more courtesy of YouTube:
And there's more - they have one more ride but neither one of us had the guts to go on it. It's called the X-Scream and it is insane. Here it is from YouTube:
It just dangles right out over NOTHING. NOTHING. No way would I ride that thing!
After the fun of the Stratosphere, we headed back to our hotel for the conference banquet. The DH didn't want to go, so only my son, my co-worker and I went. It was the WORST banquet I have ever been to. The food selection was incomprehensible. It still don't understand who make those choices. The meat was beef with small rolls to eat it with. That was pretty normal. Next to it was a Louisiana "station" with white rice, red beans, shrimp to be cooked and some kind of crazy chicken sauce thing.
The "fresh vegetables" were actually roasted carrots, zucchini, cherry tomatoes...it was so strange! No dip, nothing to eat with them.
The dessert, rather than a collection of cakes/pies, etc. was the only bright spot. But if you didn't like it, you were out of luck. It was one thing only - bananas foster. Vanilla ice cream with a rum-based banana laden sauce on top. It was good, but the other stuff was blah. Needless to say, I didn't stay long. We ate what we could and went out for one last "fling" at the casino.
I won $33.00 on slots, so I quit. That leaves me down about $30.00 for the trip. Not bad, really.
We went to bed early due to the long travel day the next day. Didn't help. It took 14 hours to get home in total. Yep. One layover, one delay and an hour car trip at the end.
Guess I won't complain. I was happy to be back home. Traveling is fun...returning has its own charm as well.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Las Vegas Day 5
Today we had labs - those are sessions that are hands on with the software. I love those. I learn so much more by doing instead of being lectured. I was happy that these particular labs covered problem areas of the reporting software and I learned a number of tricks - some useful, some not so much. Doesn't matter, I still would rather have a day of hands on than a day of sitting still.
For dinner my co-worker, my son and I went to Tom Colicchio's Craftsteak restaurant. In case that name isn't familiar he is the head judge on Bravo's reality cooking show Top Chef.
The restaurant is beautiful. All wood and metal.
We all decided to eat from the Spring Tasting Menu. For $60 per person, we had a huge dinner served family style.
The first course was:
Shaved fennel salad
Grilled quail, vincotto
Buffalo mozzarella, red pepper caponata
Persian cucumber, lemon vinaigrette
Main Course was:
Prime Beef Flatiron
Grilled Angus Skirt Steak
Diver Sea Scallops
Side Dishes:
Yukon Gold Potato Puree
Sugar Snap Peas, Ricotta Salata
Roasted Shiitake Mushrooms
Dessert:
Chocolate melted cake with vanilla bean ice cream
Rhubarb Crisp with Vanilla bean ice cream
Carmelized Monkey bread with Banana ice cream
The entire dinner was possibly the best food I have ever eaten. I have never had quail and it was wonderful. My favorite thing was the Angus Skirt Steak. It melted in the mouth. Next favorite was the potato puree. Unbelievable.
This restaurant has just become my favorite place in Las Vegas to eat.
After dinner we walked over from the MGM where the restaurant is located to the ESPN Zone in the New York, New York casino/hotel. Bought a few things for the grandkids and returned to the MGM to leave.
Back at the hotel I resisted the urge to gamble again. I'll play tomorrow night (our last night here) for a bit, I think. We'll see.
For dinner my co-worker, my son and I went to Tom Colicchio's Craftsteak restaurant. In case that name isn't familiar he is the head judge on Bravo's reality cooking show Top Chef.
The restaurant is beautiful. All wood and metal.
We all decided to eat from the Spring Tasting Menu. For $60 per person, we had a huge dinner served family style.
The first course was:
Shaved fennel salad
Grilled quail, vincotto
Buffalo mozzarella, red pepper caponata
Persian cucumber, lemon vinaigrette
Main Course was:
Prime Beef Flatiron
Grilled Angus Skirt Steak
Diver Sea Scallops
Side Dishes:
Yukon Gold Potato Puree
Sugar Snap Peas, Ricotta Salata
Roasted Shiitake Mushrooms
Dessert:
Chocolate melted cake with vanilla bean ice cream
Rhubarb Crisp with Vanilla bean ice cream
Carmelized Monkey bread with Banana ice cream
The entire dinner was possibly the best food I have ever eaten. I have never had quail and it was wonderful. My favorite thing was the Angus Skirt Steak. It melted in the mouth. Next favorite was the potato puree. Unbelievable.
This restaurant has just become my favorite place in Las Vegas to eat.
After dinner we walked over from the MGM where the restaurant is located to the ESPN Zone in the New York, New York casino/hotel. Bought a few things for the grandkids and returned to the MGM to leave.
Back at the hotel I resisted the urge to gamble again. I'll play tomorrow night (our last night here) for a bit, I think. We'll see.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Las Vegas Day 4
Today sessions began and I attended all day.
After "work", my son and I went to the Paris hotel. We went up the Eiffel Tower to the top and looked around and took pictures for about a half hour. It's not as high as the real one, but it is still pretty high up there. Here's the proof:
The real reason I wanted to go to the Paris was to go to Le Notre, the pastry shop in the corridor between Bally's and the Paris. Yum yum. It was late in the day so the case is not as full as I have seen it but here it is:
These are the ones that I bought:
They are so rich, we shared each one of them, but they are fantastic.
After that, came back and I finally got to do some gambling. Played craps for about two hours and ended up losing it all. Hit the slots and got quite a bit back, so as of now I'm only $67.00 down. Could have been worse!
After "work", my son and I went to the Paris hotel. We went up the Eiffel Tower to the top and looked around and took pictures for about a half hour. It's not as high as the real one, but it is still pretty high up there. Here's the proof:
The real reason I wanted to go to the Paris was to go to Le Notre, the pastry shop in the corridor between Bally's and the Paris. Yum yum. It was late in the day so the case is not as full as I have seen it but here it is:
These are the ones that I bought:
They are so rich, we shared each one of them, but they are fantastic.
After that, came back and I finally got to do some gambling. Played craps for about two hours and ended up losing it all. Hit the slots and got quite a bit back, so as of now I'm only $67.00 down. Could have been worse!
Las Vegas Day 3
Conference didn't really start till later in the day, so I, the son and the husband went out to do a few things.
Went to the M&M Store and the Coca-Cola Store to buy some totally useless junk for several family members.
Went to the Luxor to find Egyptian items for the son, only to find out that they aren't selling that stuff anymore. WTF?! The last time we came here (like 5 years ago) they had a huge gift shop of just stuff from/about/relating to Egypt. What is the point of the whole pyramid thing without accompanying crap?
Went to Mandalay Bay for the son and went through Shark Reef, a huge aquarium thingy. Lots of fish, sharks, etc. to see.
After we went everywhere we wanted to, we came back to the hotel where I had to work the conference registration desk for two hours. It was hectic, but the time went quickly. Once that chore was over, we went to dinner.
After that we went to see Penn & Teller. Their show is based here at the Rio and it was really good. Before the show there was a jazz duo playing on stage and I looked at the bassist really hard - I just knew it was Penn playing. The man at the piano asked all the audience to go up onstage and look over a wooden box there and to write our name down on an envelope that was there. So we did.
Later in the show they sawed the box in half with a woman in it and used the envelope for another trick. I don't want to explain too much 'cause the show is good and you should go see it.
After the show was over, both Penn and Teller were in the lobby and let everyone get a photo with them, signed autographs, etc. I asked Penn if he were the one playing on stage before the show and he admitted that he was. Cool!
Finally went to bed - long day.
No gambling yet, but hopefully soon.
Went to the M&M Store and the Coca-Cola Store to buy some totally useless junk for several family members.
Went to the Luxor to find Egyptian items for the son, only to find out that they aren't selling that stuff anymore. WTF?! The last time we came here (like 5 years ago) they had a huge gift shop of just stuff from/about/relating to Egypt. What is the point of the whole pyramid thing without accompanying crap?
Went to Mandalay Bay for the son and went through Shark Reef, a huge aquarium thingy. Lots of fish, sharks, etc. to see.
After we went everywhere we wanted to, we came back to the hotel where I had to work the conference registration desk for two hours. It was hectic, but the time went quickly. Once that chore was over, we went to dinner.
After that we went to see Penn & Teller. Their show is based here at the Rio and it was really good. Before the show there was a jazz duo playing on stage and I looked at the bassist really hard - I just knew it was Penn playing. The man at the piano asked all the audience to go up onstage and look over a wooden box there and to write our name down on an envelope that was there. So we did.
Later in the show they sawed the box in half with a woman in it and used the envelope for another trick. I don't want to explain too much 'cause the show is good and you should go see it.
After the show was over, both Penn and Teller were in the lobby and let everyone get a photo with them, signed autographs, etc. I asked Penn if he were the one playing on stage before the show and he admitted that he was. Cool!
Finally went to bed - long day.
No gambling yet, but hopefully soon.
Las Vegas Day 2
So I got my chance to go to the pool...where the software company sales people managed to get me falling down drunk. Okay, maybe not that bad, but I had a number of yummy drinks that were totally deceptive. Didn't really feel all that bad at the time, but about an hour after I left the pool area I was pretty well hammered.
Stayed in the room mostly that evening and felt like an idiot for being a lightweight, drink-wise.
New resolve - practice more!
Stayed in the room mostly that evening and felt like an idiot for being a lightweight, drink-wise.
New resolve - practice more!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Viva Las Vegas!
Okay, the title was a bit much, but I'm here. It took all day and two planes, but I'm here. By the time I got to the hotel, it had taken 12 hours to get here from leaving home. Blurgh.
The place is a lot different than I remembered from last time. More hotels being built, different way to pick up rental car at McCarran, more people. Or maybe that is my inner old person speaking up. It just seems crammed to the gills with PEOPLE.
I had also forgotten that smoking is allowed in the hotel. Yuk. I hate the smell and I hate the lingering stench that permeates everything.
The rooms I booked for myself and a co-worker said they were "Premium Suites". Okay, but they are just a tad bit bigger than a regular hotel room. Certainly adequate but not exactly luxurious. I should have known for the price. It does have a more than adequate view, however, of The Strip. I tried to take photos but they didn't exactly capture all the color of the lights. Here are two:
And speaking of price, the conference folks have done everything but offer to pay for airfare to get people out here. After arriving last night I'm wondering why. The place seems to be booming with business. All I've heard is that this is the least attended conference since 9/11 and that the organization is going to have to eat a lot of fees, etc. You couldn't tell it from the jam packed casino/lobby/restaurants here.
Well, today is Mother's Day, so I've asked for and been granted two hours at the pool to just lie around. I'd better go get those two hours before someone decides they'd rather go to another hotel to gamble.
The place is a lot different than I remembered from last time. More hotels being built, different way to pick up rental car at McCarran, more people. Or maybe that is my inner old person speaking up. It just seems crammed to the gills with PEOPLE.
I had also forgotten that smoking is allowed in the hotel. Yuk. I hate the smell and I hate the lingering stench that permeates everything.
The rooms I booked for myself and a co-worker said they were "Premium Suites". Okay, but they are just a tad bit bigger than a regular hotel room. Certainly adequate but not exactly luxurious. I should have known for the price. It does have a more than adequate view, however, of The Strip. I tried to take photos but they didn't exactly capture all the color of the lights. Here are two:
And speaking of price, the conference folks have done everything but offer to pay for airfare to get people out here. After arriving last night I'm wondering why. The place seems to be booming with business. All I've heard is that this is the least attended conference since 9/11 and that the organization is going to have to eat a lot of fees, etc. You couldn't tell it from the jam packed casino/lobby/restaurants here.
Well, today is Mother's Day, so I've asked for and been granted two hours at the pool to just lie around. I'd better go get those two hours before someone decides they'd rather go to another hotel to gamble.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Getting Ready
I'm off work today to get ready for the Las Vegas trip. I'll be traveling tomorrow (Saturday) so today is a trade-off.
A bit of dilemma regarding clothing. I'm figuring that the conference center will be kept quite chilly if past experiences hold true. So I'll need a bit warmer items for day, but once conference time is over I know I'll be outside, wandering the strip, drinking, etc. I need less warm outfits for that.
I'm thinking that I'll wear my longer capris for the conference with a knit shirt and over-sweater. Then I can change the capris for shorts and ditch the sweater for after. Does that sound like a plan? I'm trying to stick to one suitcase for clothes and a smaller one for shoes, toiletries, etc. The airline is going to charge me $50.00 for two suitcases but I can't do a whole week with less.
That is the plan so far. Now I need to go try on everything to see if it all still fits. I had the cancer+20 (like the freshman+20) added last year but I think I've gotten rid of all of it now. Still I have enough doubt to want to check while I can still go pick up a few things if necessary.
Excitement and the usual nervousness is setting in. I love traveling but as a born worrier I always anticipate something going wrong.
A bit of dilemma regarding clothing. I'm figuring that the conference center will be kept quite chilly if past experiences hold true. So I'll need a bit warmer items for day, but once conference time is over I know I'll be outside, wandering the strip, drinking, etc. I need less warm outfits for that.
I'm thinking that I'll wear my longer capris for the conference with a knit shirt and over-sweater. Then I can change the capris for shorts and ditch the sweater for after. Does that sound like a plan? I'm trying to stick to one suitcase for clothes and a smaller one for shoes, toiletries, etc. The airline is going to charge me $50.00 for two suitcases but I can't do a whole week with less.
That is the plan so far. Now I need to go try on everything to see if it all still fits. I had the cancer+20 (like the freshman+20) added last year but I think I've gotten rid of all of it now. Still I have enough doubt to want to check while I can still go pick up a few things if necessary.
Excitement and the usual nervousness is setting in. I love traveling but as a born worrier I always anticipate something going wrong.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Most Boring Day EVER
This morning I attended our local Community Leader's Breakfast with 6 of my co-workers. We sat down for the usual rubber scrambled eggs, mushy fried potatoes and hard sausage. No worries, we've done this before, so we know what to expect. EXCEPT...today, the new city manager came to our table and asked if he could sit down with us. OMG.
Well, of course, we said sure. But what a tense experience. Did I say the right things, did I drool? Did I sound stupid or needy or like a suck-up? Who knows? Everyone at the table became someone else. Unreal. The worst thing is that the speaker for the breakfast was excellent - spoke about generational differences with workers, etc., but it was very difficult to pay attention to her.
From there we went onto a meeting in Bloomington. It could have been a good meeting, but unfortunately it was without doubt the worst meeting I have ever attended. The speakers droned on and on - if I hadn't had my blackberry there for comic relief I might have had to hurt someone. Two hours of complete torture.
When we finally were released, we ate lunch, then indulged ourselves at Cold Stone Creamery. Yum yum - I had chocolate with raspberries. Only a little, though. Too many calories otherwise. I did have a taste of the flavor Sweet Cream. It was awesome but I'm mostly a chocolate girl. Maybe next time I'll give the Sweet Cream a shot.
So the day wasn't a total loss - could any day that involved ice cream be all bad?
Well, of course, we said sure. But what a tense experience. Did I say the right things, did I drool? Did I sound stupid or needy or like a suck-up? Who knows? Everyone at the table became someone else. Unreal. The worst thing is that the speaker for the breakfast was excellent - spoke about generational differences with workers, etc., but it was very difficult to pay attention to her.
From there we went onto a meeting in Bloomington. It could have been a good meeting, but unfortunately it was without doubt the worst meeting I have ever attended. The speakers droned on and on - if I hadn't had my blackberry there for comic relief I might have had to hurt someone. Two hours of complete torture.
When we finally were released, we ate lunch, then indulged ourselves at Cold Stone Creamery. Yum yum - I had chocolate with raspberries. Only a little, though. Too many calories otherwise. I did have a taste of the flavor Sweet Cream. It was awesome but I'm mostly a chocolate girl. Maybe next time I'll give the Sweet Cream a shot.
So the day wasn't a total loss - could any day that involved ice cream be all bad?
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Just when I thought the week could not get worse...
...my son was hospitalized. Not super serious - just not responding to oral antibiotics for lung infection. He'll be allowed to come home on home IV therapy soon.
Just one more brick on the pile, so to speak, as he was hospitalized in St. Louis, Missouri at Barnes-Jewish, meaning a 3 hour drive to see him and a 3 hour drive back.
It's all good, though. He could be a lot worse.
Just one more brick on the pile, so to speak, as he was hospitalized in St. Louis, Missouri at Barnes-Jewish, meaning a 3 hour drive to see him and a 3 hour drive back.
It's all good, though. He could be a lot worse.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Difficult Work Week
This week is going to be difficult for a number of reasons.
Last week, one of our firemen died in a non-work related accident. He was working on a vehicle when the jack slipped and the vehicle fell on him, cutting off his air supply for quite a long time. He was kept alive for awhile and when it was determined he would not recover, life support was withdrawn. The family donated his organs so that others might live on.
If that weren't bad enough, one of our policemen had a child die on Friday. The child had a medical condition however the death was unexpected at this time.
Tonight I will have to go to both visitations and tomorrow attend one or the other funeral since they are happening at the same time.
It's really a shame and makes you think about life and how quickly and unexpectedly it can end.
Last week, one of our firemen died in a non-work related accident. He was working on a vehicle when the jack slipped and the vehicle fell on him, cutting off his air supply for quite a long time. He was kept alive for awhile and when it was determined he would not recover, life support was withdrawn. The family donated his organs so that others might live on.
If that weren't bad enough, one of our policemen had a child die on Friday. The child had a medical condition however the death was unexpected at this time.
Tonight I will have to go to both visitations and tomorrow attend one or the other funeral since they are happening at the same time.
It's really a shame and makes you think about life and how quickly and unexpectedly it can end.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Montessori School Grandparent Night
Last Wednesday night I accompanied my grandson to his school's grandparent night.
We were served cold Domino's pizza and Gatorade. The cold pizza did not affect my grandson one bit - he ate two pieces. I picked at one and ate a couple of bits of cold cheese. YUK.
After eating, we all moved to the auditorium to sit in rock hard wooden seats and watch the movie Bolt.
I'm glad I went for his sake, but man it was tough. Next time I'll eat before I go.
We were served cold Domino's pizza and Gatorade. The cold pizza did not affect my grandson one bit - he ate two pieces. I picked at one and ate a couple of bits of cold cheese. YUK.
After eating, we all moved to the auditorium to sit in rock hard wooden seats and watch the movie Bolt.
I'm glad I went for his sake, but man it was tough. Next time I'll eat before I go.
My 32nd Wedding Anniversary - YIKES!
My husband and I celebrated our 32nd wedding anniversary on April 28, 2009. It's really hard to believe those numbers. In many respects it seems like only yesterday but then again sometimes I feel every year of it.
Overall I think we've done pretty good.
We went to dinner with the kids that live here in our town and the grandkids. It was very enjoyable, especially now that the grandkids are almost human beings.
Here's hoping for another 32!
Overall I think we've done pretty good.
We went to dinner with the kids that live here in our town and the grandkids. It was very enjoyable, especially now that the grandkids are almost human beings.
Here's hoping for another 32!
University of Illinois Football 2009 Spring Game
On April 25th, my son, his girlfriend and I attended the annual spring football game, which is just a nice way of saying a team scrimmage.
It was general admission and pretty poorly attended, although I don't know why. The proceeds went to Coaches Against Cancer, a charity that I can definitely get behind, in light of my recent bout.
There is a clothing sale in the concourse before the game, and I was able to pick up some shirts for the kids very cheaply.
The special draw this year was the appearance of former football coach Mike White, who signed stuff and gave autographs. I got a pic of him as he passed me.
The game itself was not particularly exciting, but it was a beautiful day and I got to spend time with my son, so all was good.
It was general admission and pretty poorly attended, although I don't know why. The proceeds went to Coaches Against Cancer, a charity that I can definitely get behind, in light of my recent bout.
There is a clothing sale in the concourse before the game, and I was able to pick up some shirts for the kids very cheaply.
The special draw this year was the appearance of former football coach Mike White, who signed stuff and gave autographs. I got a pic of him as he passed me.
The game itself was not particularly exciting, but it was a beautiful day and I got to spend time with my son, so all was good.
Flying Ants
It's hard to believe but my toy room was inundated with flying ants a couple of weeks ago. Yes, I know, sounds crazy, and I have no idea where they came from.
I don't mind regular ants - okay, that is a lie, I do mind them. But flying ones?
I had to remove everything from the room and spray, being careful not to hit any surface that my grandkids would eventually touch. It was really hard!
They seem to be under control for the time being. Here's hoping that they don't come back.
I don't mind regular ants - okay, that is a lie, I do mind them. But flying ones?
I had to remove everything from the room and spray, being careful not to hit any surface that my grandkids would eventually touch. It was really hard!
They seem to be under control for the time being. Here's hoping that they don't come back.
Nathan Gunn in A Brief Encounter - Houston Grand Opera
Ah, if only I could force myself to go back to Texas. Alas, I have been there 4-5 times for work and after the last visit I promised myself I would never return.
If I could return, I would definitely go to Houston to see my boyfriend Nathan Gunn in the world premiere of this opera, A Brief Encounter.
The story of the opera involves a married woman and a married man meeting by chance in a train station, falling in love, and parting forever, realizing that the love can never be fulfilled. Just a little light drama. GAH! I hate stories like this. Reality is all well and good, but whatever happened to the guy getting the girl?
Here are some photos I've harvested from the web over the past few weeks:
It's almost unfair, isn't it, for Nathan to be so good looking and so talented. An embarrassment of riches, really. Hopefully his wife is suitably appreciative.
If I could return, I would definitely go to Houston to see my boyfriend Nathan Gunn in the world premiere of this opera, A Brief Encounter.
The story of the opera involves a married woman and a married man meeting by chance in a train station, falling in love, and parting forever, realizing that the love can never be fulfilled. Just a little light drama. GAH! I hate stories like this. Reality is all well and good, but whatever happened to the guy getting the girl?
Here are some photos I've harvested from the web over the past few weeks:
It's almost unfair, isn't it, for Nathan to be so good looking and so talented. An embarrassment of riches, really. Hopefully his wife is suitably appreciative.
Food Network's Dinner Impossible with Robert Irvine
Can I just start this by saying that I love Robert Irvine? I really, really love him. In fact, were he to offer, I'd gladly have his baby. Well, if I could still have babies - the whole menopause thing sort of killed that. But I digress. Robert is not only majorly hot with a great body, but he's funny and a great chef. Click this for his info: Robert Irvine Bio
For those who don't know, the premise of the show each week is that Robert goes to some location and is given a cooking challenge that he must complete. Don't know what would happen if he didn't complete it - that is never mentioned. But, for example, in one episode he was tasked with cooking for 2000 persons at an NBA Allstar charity benefit. He had to make five dishes named after teams in the western division and five dishes for teams in the eastern division. (For example, Denver Chicken Nuggets.) He was given 9 hours to complete the task. He has two other chefs that accompany him on all the challenges and he uses chefs that work at the various venues as well.
In the basketball challenge, he wasn't content with just 10 total dishes, he upped the ante by doing another 20. A total of 30 dishes for 2000 people.
It's fun to watch. He has to go get ingredients, he has to organize the dishes and he is both comical and interesting to watch. He yells a lot, but that's okay - he is hot even when he's yelling.
If you haven't had a chance to watch this show, you should definitely check it out. Oh, and Robert is MINE. Hands off.
For those who don't know, the premise of the show each week is that Robert goes to some location and is given a cooking challenge that he must complete. Don't know what would happen if he didn't complete it - that is never mentioned. But, for example, in one episode he was tasked with cooking for 2000 persons at an NBA Allstar charity benefit. He had to make five dishes named after teams in the western division and five dishes for teams in the eastern division. (For example, Denver Chicken Nuggets.) He was given 9 hours to complete the task. He has two other chefs that accompany him on all the challenges and he uses chefs that work at the various venues as well.
In the basketball challenge, he wasn't content with just 10 total dishes, he upped the ante by doing another 20. A total of 30 dishes for 2000 people.
It's fun to watch. He has to go get ingredients, he has to organize the dishes and he is both comical and interesting to watch. He yells a lot, but that's okay - he is hot even when he's yelling.
If you haven't had a chance to watch this show, you should definitely check it out. Oh, and Robert is MINE. Hands off.
Breast Cancer Survivor and Yoga Clinical Trial
I mentioned a month or so ago that I had been asked to participate in a clinical trial to see if yoga would have any effect on the sleep and overall well-being of breast cancer survivors.
In case you weren't aware, a breast cancer survivor has one hell of a time getting a full night's sleep. It is not known why but waking up frequently and being unable to go back to sleep is a real problem.
Two weeks ago I started my part of the study. I am in the control group. I was asked to wear an actigraph on my non-dominant wrist for a week, never taking it off. The thing measured my sleep and activity somehow - it's all magic as far as I know. Anyway, I wore the thing which was similar to the ugliest watch ever made.
I was asked to fill out several questionnaires regarding the amount of sleep I was getting, how many times I got up, what times, how many hot flashes in a day, etc.
I turned it all in to the Cancer center last week and now I will continue filling out questionnaires without taking any yoga classes.
In four weeks I will wear the actigraph again and after that week is over, I will be able to take 4 weeks of yoga for nada. That's right, for free.
That was the big draw for this study - the fact that I got to get free yoga classes.
The last study I participated in was regarding chemotherapy, and being a novice at cancer I said, sure, I'll do it...but I could have royally screwed myself because one group had 6 chemo treatments and the other 4. Luckily I got the 4 - it is so horrible that 6 is just unfathomable to me at this point. I would have really hated myself if I'd had to do 6 just for some stupid study.
Anyway, looking forward to the yoga lessons soon.
In case you weren't aware, a breast cancer survivor has one hell of a time getting a full night's sleep. It is not known why but waking up frequently and being unable to go back to sleep is a real problem.
Two weeks ago I started my part of the study. I am in the control group. I was asked to wear an actigraph on my non-dominant wrist for a week, never taking it off. The thing measured my sleep and activity somehow - it's all magic as far as I know. Anyway, I wore the thing which was similar to the ugliest watch ever made.
I was asked to fill out several questionnaires regarding the amount of sleep I was getting, how many times I got up, what times, how many hot flashes in a day, etc.
I turned it all in to the Cancer center last week and now I will continue filling out questionnaires without taking any yoga classes.
In four weeks I will wear the actigraph again and after that week is over, I will be able to take 4 weeks of yoga for nada. That's right, for free.
That was the big draw for this study - the fact that I got to get free yoga classes.
The last study I participated in was regarding chemotherapy, and being a novice at cancer I said, sure, I'll do it...but I could have royally screwed myself because one group had 6 chemo treatments and the other 4. Luckily I got the 4 - it is so horrible that 6 is just unfathomable to me at this point. I would have really hated myself if I'd had to do 6 just for some stupid study.
Anyway, looking forward to the yoga lessons soon.
University of Illinois Ultimate Basketball Challenge 2009
On April 15th we went to the Ultimate Basketball Challenge at the University of Illinois. Basically the able-bodied men’s and women’s basketball teams play the men’s and women’s wheelchair teams. The cool part is that everyone has to play in wheelchairs. I think it gives everyone a new respect and admiration for the wheelchair athletes.
The grandson, granddaughter and a friend were able to get posters and their basketballs signed by all the athletes and by both the men’s and women’s basketball coaches.
The game was a lot of fun to watch and we all had a good time.
The grandson, granddaughter and a friend were able to get posters and their basketballs signed by all the athletes and by both the men’s and women’s basketball coaches.
The game was a lot of fun to watch and we all had a good time.
National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week 2009
The week of April 12-18, 2009 was designated by Congress as National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week. I created a slideshow video:
I also created a collage photo that we embedded in a matte that was signed by our user agencies. The plan is to frame it and hang it in our Comm. Center.
We celebrated the week by allowing the telecommunicators to wear goofy dress all week (one day was pajama day, one was Hawaiian day, etc.), we provided a lunch and huge cake on Wednesday and we had a drawing everyday for some pretty awesome prizes. Here's the cake:
This week is dear to my heart. I was a telecommunicator and telecommunicator supervisor for 18 years before taking my present position and although I gained immense satisfaction from helping people, it would always have been nice to be recognized. The telecommunicator (or 911 operator) is really the forgotten hero in the public safety equation. But I'm happy to celebrate and give all the staff of our center their props for this one week.
I also created a collage photo that we embedded in a matte that was signed by our user agencies. The plan is to frame it and hang it in our Comm. Center.
We celebrated the week by allowing the telecommunicators to wear goofy dress all week (one day was pajama day, one was Hawaiian day, etc.), we provided a lunch and huge cake on Wednesday and we had a drawing everyday for some pretty awesome prizes. Here's the cake:
This week is dear to my heart. I was a telecommunicator and telecommunicator supervisor for 18 years before taking my present position and although I gained immense satisfaction from helping people, it would always have been nice to be recognized. The telecommunicator (or 911 operator) is really the forgotten hero in the public safety equation. But I'm happy to celebrate and give all the staff of our center their props for this one week.
Man, Am I Behind or What?!
I've been woefully neglectful of this blog - and it's almost been a month since I posted.
Let's play catch-up.
I went on a business trip to Peoria, IL earlier in the month, staying at the Stoney Creek Inn. It's a quaint hotel that has a backwoods theme as you can see:
The conference was extremely boring. It was actually torture to sit all day and listen to someone lecture about how great they were.
One evening I went to the nearby casino and played craps. I ended up winning $81.00. Here's the payout:
That is about the first time I ever won and walked away without losing it all on some other game. Go, me!
That takes care of the first week of April, more or less.
Let's play catch-up.
I went on a business trip to Peoria, IL earlier in the month, staying at the Stoney Creek Inn. It's a quaint hotel that has a backwoods theme as you can see:
The conference was extremely boring. It was actually torture to sit all day and listen to someone lecture about how great they were.
One evening I went to the nearby casino and played craps. I ended up winning $81.00. Here's the payout:
That is about the first time I ever won and walked away without losing it all on some other game. Go, me!
That takes care of the first week of April, more or less.
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