As promised, here is the video from our "Skydiving Extravaganza 2010" ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaunmZBFjjA
Not too shabby - if I do say so myself - for our first foray into video editing!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Celebrating Dad's 65th!
We had an amazing day yesterday ... helping my dad celebrate his 65th birthday by checking something off his bucket list, skydiving!
Video footage is still in progress, but here's an awesome photo montage. (make sure your volume is on so that you can hear the music!)
Love you dad!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGSblNssCN8
Video footage is still in progress, but here's an awesome photo montage. (make sure your volume is on so that you can hear the music!)
Love you dad!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGSblNssCN8
Sunday, September 12, 2010
An ode to my husband
It's been fun spending quality time with you this fine summer
But alas, the day has now come, oh what a bummer
Today's the first Sunday, football season is here
Now I know where to find you - on the couch with a beer
Sunday and Monday and even on Thursday
17 long weeks plus post-season, oy vey!
Betting lines, point spreads and margin pool scheming
Favorites and power ratings, the inevitable swearing and screaming
Because I love you, I promise to chant and cheer for Dallas
Except on 10/25 and 11/14 ... on those days, GO G-MEN, LET'S KICK SOME COWBOY ASS!!
:)
But alas, the day has now come, oh what a bummer
Today's the first Sunday, football season is here
Now I know where to find you - on the couch with a beer
Sunday and Monday and even on Thursday
17 long weeks plus post-season, oy vey!
Betting lines, point spreads and margin pool scheming
Favorites and power ratings, the inevitable swearing and screaming
Because I love you, I promise to chant and cheer for Dallas
Except on 10/25 and 11/14 ... on those days, GO G-MEN, LET'S KICK SOME COWBOY ASS!!
:)
Demetri Martin
I have mixed emotions about stand-up comedy. Anyone that's met Brad and I know that we love to laugh (and do so quite often). So, when a comedian is good, I think it's a blast. But I also have a really strong empathy gene ... so, when a comedian is struggling, I feel soooo bad for them and it's just torture for me to watch.
So, when some friends asked us to go see a comedian last night, I didn't know what to expect. But it turned out to be an awesome night with a hysterical show by Demetri Martin. Demetri had a show on Comedy Central, was a staff writer for Conan O'Brien and was on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart - so a pretty impressive comedian!
He was super funny and we even got to go backstage after the show and hang out with him for a bit. I always wonder if comedians are going to be funny off-stage as well. The answer (at least in this case) is yes! But not in a stand-up kinda way ... we weren't rolling on the floor laughing, he was definitely more mellow than during the show, but more like the clever, engaging guy that you want to talk to at a party. You can tell he is a super smart guy - actually had been going to NYU Law School when he dropped out to pursue comedy. We got to talk with him about how he reads the crowd during a show, how he decides which jokes to tell, etc. Really interesting to hear his perspectives about what it feels like to be the one on stage in the spotlight.
Anyway, I'm now a huge fan and we had a really great night!
So, when some friends asked us to go see a comedian last night, I didn't know what to expect. But it turned out to be an awesome night with a hysterical show by Demetri Martin. Demetri had a show on Comedy Central, was a staff writer for Conan O'Brien and was on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart - so a pretty impressive comedian!
He was super funny and we even got to go backstage after the show and hang out with him for a bit. I always wonder if comedians are going to be funny off-stage as well. The answer (at least in this case) is yes! But not in a stand-up kinda way ... we weren't rolling on the floor laughing, he was definitely more mellow than during the show, but more like the clever, engaging guy that you want to talk to at a party. You can tell he is a super smart guy - actually had been going to NYU Law School when he dropped out to pursue comedy. We got to talk with him about how he reads the crowd during a show, how he decides which jokes to tell, etc. Really interesting to hear his perspectives about what it feels like to be the one on stage in the spotlight.
Anyway, I'm now a huge fan and we had a really great night!
| Jokes.com | ||||
| Demetri Martin - Findings | ||||
| ||||
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Ohno!
Here's whom I hung out with at work today...
That's right, Apolo Anton Ohno! Sometimes my job can be pretty fun - especially when cool speakers come in to talk with the students. Of course, the challenge is often finding the time in my work schedule to actually go see those speakers. But this one I wasn't going to miss!
So, we had 3 Olympians to talk to the students about their Olympic experiences and their work in their communities/the importance of giving back...
Apolo Anton Ohno - the most decorated American Winter Olympic athlete of all time with eight medals (two gold, two silver, four bronze). He also talked about his big win on Dancing with the Stars ;)
Cullen Jones, sprint swimmer, who won gold on a relay team with Michael Phelps in 2008. He's also working with a nonprofit to teach minority kids how to swim (backstory - he almost drowned when he was 5 b/c he didn't know how to swim at the time).
Alana Nichols is another amazing athlete with an amazing story - she was an all-star athlete in high school until a snowboarding accident broke her back and left her paralyzed from the waist down. But she managed to overcome it all and is now this amazing Paralympian who has won gold medals in both the summer (basketball) and winter (downhill AND slalom) games!
Not bad for a Tuesday!
That's right, Apolo Anton Ohno! Sometimes my job can be pretty fun - especially when cool speakers come in to talk with the students. Of course, the challenge is often finding the time in my work schedule to actually go see those speakers. But this one I wasn't going to miss!
So, we had 3 Olympians to talk to the students about their Olympic experiences and their work in their communities/the importance of giving back...
Apolo Anton Ohno - the most decorated American Winter Olympic athlete of all time with eight medals (two gold, two silver, four bronze). He also talked about his big win on Dancing with the Stars ;)
Cullen Jones, sprint swimmer, who won gold on a relay team with Michael Phelps in 2008. He's also working with a nonprofit to teach minority kids how to swim (backstory - he almost drowned when he was 5 b/c he didn't know how to swim at the time).
Alana Nichols is another amazing athlete with an amazing story - she was an all-star athlete in high school until a snowboarding accident broke her back and left her paralyzed from the waist down. But she managed to overcome it all and is now this amazing Paralympian who has won gold medals in both the summer (basketball) and winter (downhill AND slalom) games!
Not bad for a Tuesday!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
The Power of our Blog!
Check out the power of our blog! Within days of posting about the misspelled street sign in our neighborhood, the sign has just been changed!
Check out the new and improved sign, with the 2nd "L" added to Chancellor's Ridge ...
Of course, they didn't put in that pesky apostrophe but oh well. Maybe after this post, they'll change it again - 3rd time's a charm?
~Brad and Erin, changing the world one blog post at a time ;-)
Check out the new and improved sign, with the 2nd "L" added to Chancellor's Ridge ...
Of course, they didn't put in that pesky apostrophe but oh well. Maybe after this post, they'll change it again - 3rd time's a charm?
~Brad and Erin, changing the world one blog post at a time ;-)
Monday, August 30, 2010
Music on the Mountaintop
For our official anniversary celebration, we wanted to get out of town and take a trip with just the two of us. You're probably thinking some beach resort getaway, fancy dinners by candlelight, spa services, etc.
But think again! After all, this is Brad and Erin we're talking about, right?!
So, here we are on our romantic anniversary weekend - not having showered in 2 days, standing by our 5 star resort (aka my 2 man tent) and grilling on a little bitty charcoal grill. :)
It was an awesome weekend - so nice to get away together, get back to nature with some beautiful weather, and hear some really great music. The festival was called "Music on the Mountaintop" and was a great lineup of bluegrass and jam music in Boone, NC.
There were vendors set up in one area of the festival which I enjoyed visiting and buying some clothing (happy anniversary to me! ;)
and then just hanging out with about 4,000 other music lovers in a beautiful setting.
And of course, seeing some great bluegrass music. We managed to get front row for several of the shows which was amazing to be up close and personal and really get to see some of the ridiculous picking that was happening in front of our eyes.
Keller Williams (one of my favorites - just a really happy, upbeat sound)
Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band
Sam Bush (a ridiculous mandolin and fiddle player!)
But think again! After all, this is Brad and Erin we're talking about, right?!
So, here we are on our romantic anniversary weekend - not having showered in 2 days, standing by our 5 star resort (aka my 2 man tent) and grilling on a little bitty charcoal grill. :)
It was an awesome weekend - so nice to get away together, get back to nature with some beautiful weather, and hear some really great music. The festival was called "Music on the Mountaintop" and was a great lineup of bluegrass and jam music in Boone, NC.
There were vendors set up in one area of the festival which I enjoyed visiting and buying some clothing (happy anniversary to me! ;)
and then just hanging out with about 4,000 other music lovers in a beautiful setting.
And of course, seeing some great bluegrass music. We managed to get front row for several of the shows which was amazing to be up close and personal and really get to see some of the ridiculous picking that was happening in front of our eyes.
Keller Williams (one of my favorites - just a really happy, upbeat sound)
Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band
Sam Bush (a ridiculous mandolin and fiddle player!)
Monday, August 23, 2010
Mexican Kissing Cousins
We've been spending some good quality time at my parent's house this summer. While Sharon is off from school for the summer, she's been flying down from NY and the rest of us have been meeting up in W'burg.
That's meant lots of quality time with the family, shopping, golfing, margaritas and lots of eating. This past weekend we had a little hiccup because Natalie and Blake were sick and so Kiera, Ryan and the kids weren't able to make it out for the weekend.
So, instead we had an adults only weekend including game night. Here is the crew playing "Mexican Train" which is a domino game that my parents learned. We couldn't remember the name of it the whole weekend so had a multitude of names that started out as Mexican Cousins and grew into Mexican Kissing Cousins on a Train Crossing the Border, etc etc. What can I say, we're dorks.
And the results of the game? Brad seriously kicked everyone's arses. That boy has some kinda luck when it comes to card games. Good thing there was no money bet!
That's meant lots of quality time with the family, shopping, golfing, margaritas and lots of eating. This past weekend we had a little hiccup because Natalie and Blake were sick and so Kiera, Ryan and the kids weren't able to make it out for the weekend.
So, instead we had an adults only weekend including game night. Here is the crew playing "Mexican Train" which is a domino game that my parents learned. We couldn't remember the name of it the whole weekend so had a multitude of names that started out as Mexican Cousins and grew into Mexican Kissing Cousins on a Train Crossing the Border, etc etc. What can I say, we're dorks.
And the results of the game? Brad seriously kicked everyone's arses. That boy has some kinda luck when it comes to card games. Good thing there was no money bet!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Academic Irony
Here's the entrance to the neighborhood where Brad and I live ...
I imagine that after building a lot of new neighborhoods, it becomes pretty hard for the builders to come up with new street names. They must have been running out of steam when they got to us - the entire neighborhood is education themed. Totally embarrassing to give directions around here ... "turn on Scholastic", "right on Baccalaureate", "pass Freshman and Sophomore before you hit Senior". "if you hit Alumni, you've gone too far", etc. Seriously, I am not kidding!
But I got a good laugh when I was driving home from work the other day and noticed that there were some new street signs up on the main strip in the neighborhood. Notice anything funny about this sign? Hint, compare it to the previous picture.
Yup, in our academic themed neighborhood, they have spelled the street name wrong. But hey, who needs a second L or an apostrophe, right? I think it's hysterical and want to keep quiet about it so that I can see how long it takes for someone to fix it. Brad thinks its terrible and wants to report it to the Homeowner's Association. Opposites attract, I suppose!
I imagine that after building a lot of new neighborhoods, it becomes pretty hard for the builders to come up with new street names. They must have been running out of steam when they got to us - the entire neighborhood is education themed. Totally embarrassing to give directions around here ... "turn on Scholastic", "right on Baccalaureate", "pass Freshman and Sophomore before you hit Senior". "if you hit Alumni, you've gone too far", etc. Seriously, I am not kidding!
But I got a good laugh when I was driving home from work the other day and noticed that there were some new street signs up on the main strip in the neighborhood. Notice anything funny about this sign? Hint, compare it to the previous picture.
Yup, in our academic themed neighborhood, they have spelled the street name wrong. But hey, who needs a second L or an apostrophe, right? I think it's hysterical and want to keep quiet about it so that I can see how long it takes for someone to fix it. Brad thinks its terrible and wants to report it to the Homeowner's Association. Opposites attract, I suppose!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
3 Long Years
First of all, I'd like to say that Brad came up with the title for this post - except when he said it it was more like "3 looooonnnngggg years" - ha!
But in all seriousness, we really can't believe that we were married 3 years ago. It feels like just yesterday that we had the most awesome wedding weekend ever!! SO amazing to have all of our friends and family together to celebrate us finally getting married (I mean really if we're being honest, this post should be called "12 loooonggg years"!)
So for our 3 year anniversary we went to the spa and got massages (awesome!) and then went a really nice dinner at Four Square in Durham (delicious!). It was a really nice night to celebrate how blessed we are to have found and married our best friend. :)
p.s. While we're on the topic of our ridiculously awesome wedding weekend, a quick shout out to our parents... Brad and I were reminiscing about our wedding weekend and then thinking about the amount of money that was spent to make it so special. Just thinking about the bottom-line made me a little ill (seriously, all that for a big party!?) but every minute of that weekend was awesome and still makes me smile from ear to ear just thinking about it. We just feel really blessed by the sacrifices that our parents have made and continue to make to make sure that we are happy. SO THANK YOU MOMs & DADs!
But in all seriousness, we really can't believe that we were married 3 years ago. It feels like just yesterday that we had the most awesome wedding weekend ever!! SO amazing to have all of our friends and family together to celebrate us finally getting married (I mean really if we're being honest, this post should be called "12 loooonggg years"!)
So for our 3 year anniversary we went to the spa and got massages (awesome!) and then went a really nice dinner at Four Square in Durham (delicious!). It was a really nice night to celebrate how blessed we are to have found and married our best friend. :)
p.s. While we're on the topic of our ridiculously awesome wedding weekend, a quick shout out to our parents... Brad and I were reminiscing about our wedding weekend and then thinking about the amount of money that was spent to make it so special. Just thinking about the bottom-line made me a little ill (seriously, all that for a big party!?) but every minute of that weekend was awesome and still makes me smile from ear to ear just thinking about it. We just feel really blessed by the sacrifices that our parents have made and continue to make to make sure that we are happy. SO THANK YOU MOMs & DADs!
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Roller Derby
In my opinion, the piece de resistance of the weekend was our visit to see the Carolina Rollergirls! All women's flat track roller derby - hell yeah!
Not knowing what to expect, we had a conversation on the way over about whether this would be "real" or more like the WWE (all fake hits and such). The answer became pretty clear when parked at the entrance to the rink was an ambulance!
Let's just say, they weren't messing around! I don't really understand the scoring yet but it was fun to watch and there were quite a few hard hits. These girls are tough!
The match was between the "Debutante Brawlers" and the "Tai Chi-tahs" and all the girls had super fun Rollergirl names. A few favorites ... Elektra Q. Tion; Beth Row; Holly Wanna Crackya and Lady Smackbeth. I loved it all!
Probably one of my favorite parts was the "Chi-tahs" human mascot - this awesome(ly hysterical) guy that took his job really, really seriously. I can't make this stuff up people, check him out! ...
Here's Marcus enjoying the show (and wearing his new Carolina Rollergirls t-shirt which he won!).
Ah, good times. I am totally hooked and can't wait for the next game!
Not knowing what to expect, we had a conversation on the way over about whether this would be "real" or more like the WWE (all fake hits and such). The answer became pretty clear when parked at the entrance to the rink was an ambulance!
Let's just say, they weren't messing around! I don't really understand the scoring yet but it was fun to watch and there were quite a few hard hits. These girls are tough!
The match was between the "Debutante Brawlers" and the "Tai Chi-tahs" and all the girls had super fun Rollergirl names. A few favorites ... Elektra Q. Tion; Beth Row; Holly Wanna Crackya and Lady Smackbeth. I loved it all!
Probably one of my favorite parts was the "Chi-tahs" human mascot - this awesome(ly hysterical) guy that took his job really, really seriously. I can't make this stuff up people, check him out! ...
Here's Marcus enjoying the show (and wearing his new Carolina Rollergirls t-shirt which he won!).
Ah, good times. I am totally hooked and can't wait for the next game!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Some NC flavor
Since Marcus was in town, we had to make sure that he really experienced the finest that NC has to offer. What better place to go then the NC State Fairgrounds, eh?
We took Marcus to the state flea market which was definitely an interesting display of junk and some truly excellent people watching. Here's Brad displaying some of the wares at one of the stands - why they are selling swords, I have no idea!
Marcus took advantage of the Fair and bought a few things to bring home to Israel. His favorite stand was the $1 used hat stand (again, really? $1 used hats? Man, I love NC!). After much deliberation, Marcus purchased this gem - "Re-Elect Bobby Hammons for Sheriff"! Don't think it gets much more southern that that!
After the flea market, we headed over to the day's main attraction at the Fairgrounds, the "Dixie Gun and Knife" show ... I kid you not!
It was one of the most frightening places that I have ever set foot in. We didn't take many pictures since technically cameras were not allowed and let's face it, we were a little afraid of getting anyone pissed off at us given that we were surrounded by about a million firearms. But here's a couple of shots from the big day ...
It was definitely an experience, let me tell you! Lots of confederate flags being sold, the sounds of tazers being tested and the deepest of Southern accents, and the sight of fathers with their young sons trying out guns, fitting their sons with holsters, etc. SCARY.
We took Marcus to the state flea market which was definitely an interesting display of junk and some truly excellent people watching. Here's Brad displaying some of the wares at one of the stands - why they are selling swords, I have no idea!
Marcus took advantage of the Fair and bought a few things to bring home to Israel. His favorite stand was the $1 used hat stand (again, really? $1 used hats? Man, I love NC!). After much deliberation, Marcus purchased this gem - "Re-Elect Bobby Hammons for Sheriff"! Don't think it gets much more southern that that!
After the flea market, we headed over to the day's main attraction at the Fairgrounds, the "Dixie Gun and Knife" show ... I kid you not!
It was one of the most frightening places that I have ever set foot in. We didn't take many pictures since technically cameras were not allowed and let's face it, we were a little afraid of getting anyone pissed off at us given that we were surrounded by about a million firearms. But here's a couple of shots from the big day ...
It was definitely an experience, let me tell you! Lots of confederate flags being sold, the sounds of tazers being tested and the deepest of Southern accents, and the sight of fathers with their young sons trying out guns, fitting their sons with holsters, etc. SCARY.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Duke BBQ'ing
Brad and I have been meaning to have folks over for a BBQ forever and just couldn't seem to find a weekend that we were in town and had the day free. But finally we were able to get our act together and invite some folks over for a Saturday evening grill-out.
We invited over a bunch of Dukies - some that we have seen a bunch since we've been back in NC and others that we knew were in town but hadn't had a chance to reconnect with. Despite the heat and humidity it was a great evening and I'm really glad we made the effort to get folks together.
We even broke out the lawn games and played a couple of games of bocce ball. And yes, since these are Dukies that we are talking about, it got a little competitive and Brad even broke out the measuring tape to ensure that we were accurately scoring. Yup, that is my husband with beer hanging from his mouth and measuring tape in hand - what can I say? I am so proud ;) (and Brad chimes in, "By the way, I put the beer bottle in my mouth just to make for an entertaining photo". Hmm, I'm not so sure.)
Here's the group (without Beth, Jason & Ava - sorry guys!) on our porch towards the end of the night.
It was a fun night and I was even surprised with birthday cake and candles from Brad and Marcus at the end of the night - I am always totally embarrassed by the singing of Happy Birthday but it definitely made me smile. Thanks guys! :)
We invited over a bunch of Dukies - some that we have seen a bunch since we've been back in NC and others that we knew were in town but hadn't had a chance to reconnect with. Despite the heat and humidity it was a great evening and I'm really glad we made the effort to get folks together.
We even broke out the lawn games and played a couple of games of bocce ball. And yes, since these are Dukies that we are talking about, it got a little competitive and Brad even broke out the measuring tape to ensure that we were accurately scoring. Yup, that is my husband with beer hanging from his mouth and measuring tape in hand - what can I say? I am so proud ;) (and Brad chimes in, "By the way, I put the beer bottle in my mouth just to make for an entertaining photo". Hmm, I'm not so sure.)
Here's the group (without Beth, Jason & Ava - sorry guys!) on our porch towards the end of the night.
It was a fun night and I was even surprised with birthday cake and candles from Brad and Marcus at the end of the night - I am always totally embarrassed by the singing of Happy Birthday but it definitely made me smile. Thanks guys! :)
Friday, August 6, 2010
Duke Gardens
While Erin was working I decided to take Marcus on a tour of campus and to the Gardens. It was a really, really hot and sticky weekend but got some good pics to show for it. What amazes me the most is how the garden staff turns over what is planted in all the gardens. When we came earlier this year with Uncle Tom none of these plants were even there and now they are. Good thing we contribute to the Duke Gardens so they can keep planting beautiful and in season flowers.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
My birthday present = Marcus
Another birthday weekend comes and goes - the big ol' 32 this weekend. Jeez, 32?? Really? Sometimes I wonder where the time goes?
Anyway, I've realized that birthdays just aren't quite as fun as when we were little kids - another year older just gets a bit more depressing as the numbers continue to climb! But, as Le Anne likes to say "age is just a number" and that I can totally get behind. Plus as each year goes by I get to count more amazing experiences and adventures, more wonderful times with my family and more great friends.
Speaking of great friends, this year I had a wonderful birthday present ... our friend Marcus came to visit us all the way from Israel. We had a blast with Marcus all weekend and did our best to show him around NC and get the "true" NC experience (ok, maybe not the "true" experience but as many funny and random things as we could squeeze in to the weekend)
Anyway, I've realized that birthdays just aren't quite as fun as when we were little kids - another year older just gets a bit more depressing as the numbers continue to climb! But, as Le Anne likes to say "age is just a number" and that I can totally get behind. Plus as each year goes by I get to count more amazing experiences and adventures, more wonderful times with my family and more great friends.
Speaking of great friends, this year I had a wonderful birthday present ... our friend Marcus came to visit us all the way from Israel. We had a blast with Marcus all weekend and did our best to show him around NC and get the "true" NC experience (ok, maybe not the "true" experience but as many funny and random things as we could squeeze in to the weekend)
Saturday, July 31, 2010
And we're caught up!
Alrighty, we are back on track blogging world! All caught up and at 2:00 in the afternoon I am still in my PJs on the couch. Ha, awesome.
But while I'm on a roll with posting, I figured I'd write one more little vent...
I've been watching the news while I've been blogging and I have to say I am totally annoyed by it all. I do NOT care about Lindsey Lohan and her (way too brief IMHO) stint in jail. And yes, I know that Chelsea Clinton is getting married today - good for her! Now let's leave her alone for a hot second so that she can get married in peace. And I am SO tired of hearing about Sarah Palin and her progeny - Bristol and Levi are engaged, now they're not, now he's in Playboy. I don't care! I could go on and on but you get the point!
But while I'm on a roll with posting, I figured I'd write one more little vent...
I've been watching the news while I've been blogging and I have to say I am totally annoyed by it all. I do NOT care about Lindsey Lohan and her (way too brief IMHO) stint in jail. And yes, I know that Chelsea Clinton is getting married today - good for her! Now let's leave her alone for a hot second so that she can get married in peace. And I am SO tired of hearing about Sarah Palin and her progeny - Bristol and Levi are engaged, now they're not, now he's in Playboy. I don't care! I could go on and on but you get the point!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
An Evening with Santana
Back in NC, Brad and I went to see a Santana concert on Wednesday night in Raleigh. Let me tell you, the man still has it! Seriously, at 63 years old, he can still rock it out.
It was neat to see a living legend - named one of Rolling Stone's "Top 100 Guitarists of All Time" (he's #15); winner of 10 Grammies; inducted in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, etc etc.
It was neat to see a living legend - named one of Rolling Stone's "Top 100 Guitarists of All Time" (he's #15); winner of 10 Grammies; inducted in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, etc etc.
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