NYC- Part II

Yet another amazing day in the big apple. I actually attented the conference I came here for during the morning and mid afternoon. Luckily for me, it was a short meeting. So, although it was chilly and slightly rainy, I just couldnt stay in. So, i threw on the joggers and headed out to explore. I ran past ground zero and the massive construction currently being done.

 They have a store you can go into and view what the memorial and area will look like once it's finished. Its quite amazing. Where the two towers were, there will be two square sunken areas in the ground. They might have water in them, i couldnt tell. very moving.

 Then I ran around to the New York Stock Exchange. I couldnt come all this way and not check out wall street. I was there about 15 minutes before the market closed, but from the street, one would have no idea. Apparently Amheiser Bush brought a Budweiser horse to ring the opening bell this morning. Hate i missed that. I think ran back around to the hotel. Lovely jog. I then shifted gears and went uptown to meet more BSC friends Clay and Kristen. They snagged some awesome tixs to watch Bama play Wichita state in the NIT Championship Game tnight, and were awesome to include me in the fun. By awesome seats, im talking courtside with the boys. It was one of the coolest things ive ever done.

Unfortuantely, we lost.

But it was still so worth it just to be there.

Sadly, the NYC leg on my trip is almost up. However, time to shift gears and get away from this frigid city. I'll see you tomorrow sunny Florida!

NYC- Part I

Im sitting here at the Ritz with the statue of liberty right outside my window. Does it get much better? I dont think so.

I havent even been here 24 hours, and its already been so memorable. Im staying at the southern most point of manhattan, so i had to tackle the subway to get anywhere. Once that happened, I was able to make my way uptown to meet my college bud Morgan at the amazing Gramery Tavern which her husband manages. Arrival time: 4:30pm. Depature time: midnight. We sat at the bar and caught up for over 7 hours! All the while, we drank amazing wine and ate even more amazing food. There were so many characters around us to join in the fun. I wont be able to experience much of NYC while im here, but I feel like I got a small glimpse of the people here by just sitting at that bar. Today im (suppose to be) in a conference all day, but im taking a computer break. Im only like 3 block from the NY stock exchange and am just dying to get over there. We get done an hour before the market closes, so I might be able to make it. Tonight, I travel uptown again to Madison Square Gardens to see my Crimson Tide play in the Finals for the NIT tournament. I'm also meeting more BSC alum friends in the process. Part II to follow! Roll Tide!

A week in the life

I'm back to my jet setting ways. I just cant sit still long enough I guess. Wednesday Im heading up to New York City for a conference on real estate investments.  Hopefully i'll get to check out some cool sites and meet up with college friend Morgan during my quick 2.5 days stay. Then i'll shift gears completely and fly down to West Palm Beach, FL to soak up some sun and chill with my gal Miss C.  Has anyone ever packed for two completely different temperature environments? It't not easy, especially when Delta charges for extra bags now.

This past weekend included a road trip to Mobile. The purpose of the trip was two-fold. One: to run the Azalea Trail 10k. Two: Visit family in the area. We (erin and I) headed down Friday afternoon and spent some time with her awesome family. Then we dragged ourselves out of bed Sat morning and joined about 3,000 other crazy folks for a lovely little 6.2 mile run. The weather was muggy, but we got it done. There are pics on facebook that i cant quite figure out how to upload here. I ran it in an hour and three minutes. Not bad for me. After an afternoon of napping off all that running, I met up with Jordan and we spent the evening with my sister in law and her husband. They are living in mobile during grad school, so it was great to hang out with them and their new cute house. Mia came along for the trip and was actually pretty well behaved. (Mac was at home enjoying time away from puppy) Sunday morning we were back on the road. This time to Pascagoula, Mississippi to visit Jordan's grandparents, aunts and cousins. I wish i had pictures. I promise to take the camera to NYC and WPB. One more day of work this week....

The Gala

Last night was Rotaract's annual masquerade ball to benefit our foundation. Since i'm on the Rotaract Board, we have been talking about this gala for literally the past nine months, so it was great to see the gala day finally here. After a lovely dinner at Veranda with Beers, Kara,  Adam & Emily, we got our glitz on, and headed to the Alys Stephen's Center. The building was hard to miss with a large Rotaract emblem spotlighted on it. I found another one inside.

(damn my mini blackberry pictures)

It was a fun night. There were several incidents that were hilarious and random. If only I would have taken more than one picture. 

1) I almost had a very large spider fall on my head while we were being wall flowers on the dance floor. I might have had a mini panic attack. Thanks Adam for notifying the authorities. 

2) I witnessed a very drunk girl spit on the floor on the Alys Stephens center. Words couldn't relay my shock on this one.

3) I got to see Kara make a new (tall) friend, and then try and find her for the rest of the night to hear more tall girl psychobabble.

Needless to say, the people watching was first class. Overall, it was a very good time, and I cant wait to see pictures if someone has them. I also cant wait to hear how much was raised to benefit our foundation which maintains a library in every second grade classroom in Bham city schools. Love me some Rotaract. 

Breakfast Burrito

Did you know that McDonalds has wifi? I didnt until this morning. My car needed a desperate alignement since it decided to hit a deer, so I walked over to MD to hit up a breakfast burrito and do some work. They dont have any power outlets, so my computer will prob die in 15 minutes, but they do have the internet, so im happy. In other news, im going to GAGA! yes, and im almost too excited for words.  J produced an amazing anniversary gift. I can believe he thought of it, much less bought one for himself. If only i could get him to dress up....  So, next month, i fly back from NYC from my future sister-in-laws shower, and then a few hours later drive to the ATL to see her. Strangely, my flight back on Delta doesnt go through Atlanta, so I have to come home first. Cant wait.

Ok, car is ready. peace.

Denver, CO

Im still here, just doing some proactive blogging at the hotel since ive been so mia. Ive only been gone four days, but it feels like a month. I have to say, Denver is a pretty cool city. It is certainly unique, and in ways I wasnt expecting. We (some of my coworkers and I) are here for a conference on real estate investment trusts, which is an investment vehicle avaliable for our clients. It's always good to do a little continuing education, especially if its takes you to a neat place. Luckily for us, we had alot of down time. I didnt do much prep for this trip. I really had no plans upon arrival, and so I did something i normally dont do: followed. I attempted to throw my control freak aside and do something call "go with the flow?" new terms, new city. That planned worked for the most part. I did have to make an early morning visit one day to a historical place (that no one else would go with me). The Mint!

I could write an entire post on the fantastic factiods i picked up here, but i'll spare you. I will say, they make only coinage here and all types. They are a govt agency, but are self sustaining, recieving no govt funding. They make money on the dime, quarter, half dollar and dollar coins, but lose on the nickle and penny. They also mint collectable coins here. It made me wish I knew more about numismatics. (google it)

We also just walked around alot and checked out the cool shops and restaurants. Its a clean city and quite manageable to get around. It does have an odd punk counter culture that we experienced last night. Not quite sure how that fits in, but it was annoying. Otherwise, i enjoyed this place, BUT im really ready to come home. Next time i'll have to hit the mountains, they looked gorgeous. Back to the grind kids....

Where's March?

Hold on. March is going to be busy. It's going to be the end of this month and im not going to know where it's gone. I might not even count it. 2011 might need to be an 11 month year. Next week I leave and head to Denver for several days for a conference. Ive never been to CO, so im looking forward to that. I get back, and will be knee deep in Rotaract membership application time. Who am I kidding, im already knee deep in that, but it wont be over until the 21st, so pretty much the whole month. The 19th im throwing a one year old bday party for Mac and Riley (yes, my dog and niece dog) If you have a dog and are cool, you might get invited. The 26th i'll be chillin in Mobile with Erin to run the Azalea 10k and visit J's family. Once that wraps up, I head to NYC for a quick three days for another conference. It will be tough. Two days at the Ritz near Wall Street. Whatever shall i do....I will get to catch up with Morgan, so that will be fun. Maybe we'll go by Stefon's site seeing plan and then his back up plan. If thats not enough, i'll fly straight from there to West Palm Beach to hit up my girl Cristin at her new digs in Jupiter. You better get ready cristin, ive got to see what this paradise living is all about! Oddly enough I'll head back to NYC in April for my future sister-in-laws wedding shower. Buts that's April, we cant think about it yet...

*I forgot to add. We also have Rotaract's annual Gala this month. After all the cool people hang out at my puppy's party, they will be hittin up the Aly's Stephens Center at 8:00pm for one of Bham's must attend events. Check out the info here.  Its a masquerade ball, so mask is a must! If you want tix, make sure to buy before March 14th, so they will only be $50 per person. I also know several people selling their tickets who might give you a discount. let me know!