I know, I know. I've been BAD. I've been slacking on updating my blog.
Sorry, life has been super hectic lately. Hectic in a good way, but still insanely busy!
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So, May 15th weekend, my Aunt Julie came to visit me. We did the town right! We hit the King Tut exhibit at the Atlanta Civic Center, toured Ikea's Store (quick run through), dined at Six Feet Under with a breathtaking view of the city, and then dashed off to a friend's Birthday party.
Saturday, I woke up slightly hungover (thanks to the late night party) but Aunt Julie (who has a liver of steel thanks to her gin and tonic nightly regimen) gave me a quick hangover cure, and off we went to the MA Home Tour. WOW! Although I was a modern home virgin last year (which makes your first year the best ever and none can top it), this year was still amazing! We saw 2 homes designed by my favorite architects - TaC Studios. If I ever get some serious money going on, I'm going to hire THEM to design a new one (or fix my existing house)! On their website click East, Ashley, or Kendall. The Kendall one is their own home, and it's lovely (was featured in Metropolitan Home Magazine this year also!) The reason I love TaC Studios SO much, is that they design AMAZING homes, but they are "realistic" and "livable" not the fluffy millionaire stuff that is so completely out of reach for the middle-income family. Sure I love walking around someone's 5000 sq foot, fine-art decorated, plush, home, but would I ever really enjoy LIVING there? Seriously. Who cleans it? I would go nuts. I like the smaller sized, realistic homes for myself. But for eye-candy, yes yes yes - go on the MA Tour!
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Other architects were Dencity Designs, BLDGS, Tamara Bickley Design (her own white house was on the tour, and hot damn that was a lovely pad. I would never leave it - there's no need, everything is there!), Lightroom Studios, Carlson & Mosley, and Inman Green Condos.
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Saturday Night we stayed home, and grilled some steaks and fish - chillin' on the porch. Sunday I had to drive Auntie Julie to the airport, and then Matt and I checked out the last 2 homes on the tour that we missed the day before. Amazing. I could just look at those homes all day long.
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Then it was back to the grindstone at work. My boss came in for a visit and he kept us very busy. Although, it was stressful too (As we were making a lot of cut-throat decisions and dealing with some idiotic issues), so I coped with 3 happy hours last week. Sheesh. I'm getting a steel liver now ...
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BTW was happy to see my fave Tequila was featured in the June 2009 issue of Metropolitan Home Magazine: Gran Centenario Rosangel Tequila (Reposado) infused with Hibiscus. I sip this during Happy Hour, it's lovely.
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Matt of Zazen Photo, was at "Get Coffee" on Saturday afternoon, for a "Meet the Artist" during the live musical performance of "Ruff Sacks" - a local band. Very fun.
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Sunday we watched the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, and sipped some celebratory Champagne. Then it was off to the mountains to visit the folks. We had a nice dinner with our folks and some of their new neighbors. It was lovely.
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Monday we finally got to take Sport out to the side stream by the lake. He doesn't "swim" in the deep water, but he will run along the rapids, and rocks as long as he has a place to tough the bottom. It was hilarious watching him run around after a ball in the little rapids (rapids to him, but just a current to us). so funny! We wore him out, let me tell you!
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This morning, after catching up on some sleep, I finally bathed that dirty dog. Poor Sport. He wakes up and it's oops - into the tub. At least now he has all day to sleep and relax while we are at work.
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That's all for now, talk to you all later!

May the Fourth Be With You & Cinco De Mayo

Wow, how did I miss THIS holiday?
I should have been decked out in a white dress and cinnamon-bun-hair.
Happy belated Star Wars Day!
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Also, Happy Cinco De Mayo!
May you all be blessed to enjoy fabulous Margaritas. I myself will be unable to have one, due to the sugar content, but don't worry I have plans for celebrating in other ways! OLE!
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Last night we finished setting up the Zazen Photo exhibit at Get Coffee. Stop by sometime for a peek?
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Zane Lamprey of Three Sheets will be BACK ON THE AIR with new episodes starting Friday May 29th, 11pm ET, on the Fine Living Network. Those of you who still have Comcast will be able to see it on Channel 255 or if you have AT&T U-Verse, it's Channel 456 (if you have the U450, U300, or U200 plan).
FLN is part of HGTV, check your local listings. For those of you unfamiliar with Three Sheets, it's a travel/drinking show about a guy who gets to go to various countries/cities and explore their local watering-holes, bars, pubs, and local liquors. It's actually quite educational in spite of it's hilarity. It used to air on MOJO/HD but then it was cancelled/stopped due to that channel ceasing to exist. Anyhoo, they have found a NEW HOME thanks to all the fans, and off we go again.
BTW - Zane supposedly says his FAVE episode is the one he did in New Zealand, and New Zealand is the one airing on May 29th.
NOTE: Those of you who can't get FLN, never fear Hulu.com to the rescue! Hulu should have it available for viewers 1 day later.
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Grandma is OK! Thank you!

Photo Credit goes to ME - took this with my iPhone.
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Grandma is home from the hospital and resting. So far so good. One of my relatives will be staying with her for a few weeks also.
Thank you all for your prayers!
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Update for Zazen Photo exhibit at Get Coffee:
The May Exhibit was delayed due to reasons outside of our control.
BUT on Cinco De Mayo, you should be able to view the exhibit at Get Coffee!
We are going there tonight to set everything up. We couldn't put Matt Lane's work up until the April Artist's stuff was moved/taken down.
Thank you to everyone to inquired, and my apologies to those who went this weekend and were disappointed not to see the exhibit yet.
NEW DATES of the exhibit are now May 5th - June 5th!

Shih-Tzu's, Weddings, and White Wine

Every morning as I'm driving into the office, I see a little old lady walking with her dog. The difference is she isnt' "walking the dog" she's either pushing it in a stroller, like it's a baby. Or she's carrying it as she walks. I think it's a Shih-Tzu, but not the teeny version, it's almost the size of a small Westy. Anyway, I started to notice because it was somewhat strange seeing a dog being "walked" but whose feet do not touch the ground. My best guess is that the dog is either old or ailing and she is taking it outside for some air? You can see the very obvious love that the woman and the dog feel for one another. They are affectionate.
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Weddings on the brain again? A girlfriend is getting married in July. She and I hung out last night, and I got all the wedding planning gossip.
and
Also a guy-friend is getting married TODAY - who knew? I didn't know the date until he was already out of town, but that's cool. I'm excited for him. I can't wait until he gets back from his 2 week honeymoon. He's slightly younger than me, but supposedly he's still a virgin. We were at happy-hour last night and lightly joking about how different he will be when he gets back. I bet he comes in with a very glazed look on his face, like he's very well rested. He'll have his shirt slightly unbuttoned, and a bit of some sexy stubble on his face, and when he speaks, his voice will have dropped 2 octaves to a Barry White kind of sound. That's my guess anyway. "How YOU doin?" It's definitely going to be a subtle personality change. Sex does that to you! Love it!!!
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Today my girlfriend from Connecticut arrives. She's visiting for the weekend. She loves the White Wine, and I actually do like White Wine for summertime, but haven't figured out my fave yet (I've been a Red Wine fan for so long). So, I went to Trader Joe's and got about 9 different kinds and varietals. The one I haven't ever tried before is "Bear's Lair Voignier" so we'll see what a "Voigner" tastes like. I prefer the drier white wines, but sometimes they are too sweet for me. We'll see.
Wikipedia says Voignier pairs well with Thai Cuisine and sushi/sashimi. Boy I know how to pick them don't I? AWESOME!
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UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Matt Lane of Zazen Photo is the featured MAY artist at Get Coffee. So stop on by for a sip and peak!
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Zazen Photo's website has been revamped. Check it out!
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UrbanCouture Fashion show is NEXT Saturday May 9th at Grady High School. Get your TICKETS now!
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Still confused about what UrbanCouture is? Check out the article published in The Voyeur of Fashion, Art, and Politics E-zine.
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This weekend is the Kentucky Derby. My Connecticut friend likes to have us all pick a horse and then we root for it to win. I don't know that any actual bets will be made, but it is fun. I picked the horse named "I Want Revenge" for this year. 3 guesses why? ha!
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And last but not least... The Modern Atlanta Home Tour is coming up on May 15-17. My beloved Auntie Julie is flying down to visit us and go on the tour. I CAN'T WAIT!!! If this year was anything like last year, it will ROCK! Tickets are $35 for the whole weekend, and a tour ticket gets you into the Launch Party on Friday night for FREE. Schmooze with the architects and designers, or just get some free munchies and wine, whatever. I'm SO there!

The Hair Lounge

The Hair Lounge has a new website! Check it out!
The photography on the site of the actual salon, is work from Matthew Lane of Zazen Photo.
Website was designed by my dear friend Alex!
Enjoy!

Weekend Update - put on your fancy shoes and GO!

Not sure what to do this weekend? Check out these 2 amazing options!
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1) Urban Couture Fashion Show/Benefit tonight at Studio 1*Five*0. Friend of ours is a photographer who owns the studio & rents out the space (he also just recently photographed the Indigo Girls. WOW famous client alert!). Another friend is a fashion guru and teacher at local Grady High School. They are the only HS in the nation (that I know of) who has their own Fashion Design classes. Tonight's fashion show features HS students designs from this year. Very cool. In the News: http://projects.ajc.com/gallery/view/living/urbancouture0507/ -I will be covering the event as a journalist on behalf of my friend Dreama's non-profit art magazine - The Voyeur of Fashion Art & Politics.
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2)· Celtic Fling at Get Coffee sponsored in part by Zazen Photo - attending this tomorrow evening. Get Coffee is our local coffee shop in Chamblee, GA. My husband has several framed photos on display there, and he will be their featured artist in May. Get Coffee partnered with the Chamblee Arts Alliance to host a Celtic Fling this Saturday night. They were looking for sponsors, and as part of the sponsor pkg you get a free membership to the alliance. My husband's photography biz "Zazen Photo" is now one of the sponsors for the Celtic Fling. There should be dancers, live music from Keltic Kudzu, an Irish photographer will have her work showing, and of course there will be alcohol. It's a sort of belated-artsy-StPatricksDay-thing-a-ma-jig.
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Get off your heiney and come over to one of these FAB events! SEE YOU THERE!
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Oh yeah, and I got an iPhone. that's right. so Pbbbbbt! to "Big Brother." Take THAT you Nazi's!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Photo Credit-Matthew Lane of Zazen Photo. Model is Eric Packham.
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HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!
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Irony- I haven't been back to the YMCA since my victory over Tread-Climber girl. BUT every day my co-workers are asking me for updates. They said I'm anti-climatic and have "let them down" because they look forward to the stories.
hmm.
well on the upside I HAVE been working out. I was just a little bit hungover from Wine Club so Thursday AM I did Yoga and guzzled a huge bottle of water. Thursday PM I walked my dog for 2.5 miles. Friday AM (today) I did a different Yoga DVD until my legs wobbled, and if I have time tonight I'll do the 2.5 mile walk again. I can work out without having to see Tread-climber girl every day. But maybe it makes for more interesting Blog entries if I DO. LOL.

Victorious!

Today is just a DAMN good day!
1) Yesterday was my beloved Aunt Julie's Birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNTIE JULES! And I get to see her next week!
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2) Zazen Photo's first newsletter went out. If you didn't get the email, click HERE to sign up for the mailing list.
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3) Today's can of Dole Tropical Fruit has more red papaya than anything else, my FAVE!
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4) I'm having a good hair day.
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5) It's Antoinette's Birthday - HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANTOINETTE!!!
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6) Age of Aquarius Party photos - check out Matt on the floor. he was feeling Goo-ood!
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7) Tonight is Wine Club - I'm hosting and we're doing "Organic RED wines with No Sulfites Added" - mmm delish!
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8)And (as my facebook status so aptly puts it) - Abbie is secretly and wickedly pleased about getting to the Arc-Trainer machine at 5:30am BEFORE tread-climber girl tried to hog it. har har har.
Let me explain #8.
This week, I've been to the YMCA every morning without fail. I was a little late on Monday and Tuesday, so Tread-Climber girl was already there hogging her favorite machine BOTH days and for 45mins on Tuesday (beeotch). So, I did weights on Monday, and Bike on Tuesday. BUT TODAY I get there a full 10 mins early. I mean the doors had not even OPENED yet, as I was parking my car. But she was there, in line, at the door, and as I crossed the parking lot to the entrance, they let her in. "NOOOOO!" I thought. "NOOOO she's going to beat me to the machine." I tried to remain calm, and told myself - "so what? let's just get one of the other machines instead. You are stronger than her. Your weakness is not that stupid Tread-Climber thing." and so, I rather apathetically watched her beat me down the stairs, beat me to the Tread-Climber machine (and she fiddled with it for a long time, even crawling on her knees to the front of the machine near the wall. I assumed she was plugging it in?), and I absent-mindedly put my waterbottle into the cup holder on the Arc-Trainer, and then went to put my jacket in the cubby-storage unit. As I walked back to the Arc-Trainer, WHAM I almost ran into her. She had been over near my Arc-Trainer machine but had seen my water bottle (holding my place). I guess the tread-climber wasn't working and she was trying for her 2nd favorite machine now? I wasn't sure, but I just climbed up on there and started doing my 30 mins of cardio. And I thought quietly to myself "30 minutes, and that was the rules. not 45 mins Missie!" There are only 2 Arc Trainer machines at the YMCA with arm-movement. The other 3 have the part where your feet/legs swing but the arm-part is stationary. The machine I was on was the "total body" arc trainer. Hmmm . . . I was on one, and another older lady was on the other one. incidently, there were 2 other available Arc-Trainers (minus the arm movement).
As I started my workout, I couldn't help but notice that Tread-Climber girl was hovering around the area. Even though the Arc-Trainers are in a DIFFERENT ROOM than her Tread-Climber. She wanted my machine BAD. I could taste it.
Why couldn't she use one of the 10 available treadmills, or upright bikes, or encumbent bikes, or stair climber machines, or the other Arc Trainers? There were A LOT of other options. No, she wanted her Tread-climber or the Total Body Arc-Trainer and that was it. Spoiled little thing isn't she? I tried to be gracious, and not smirk to myself, but I was secretly pleased.
Then I watched as she wrote her name on the marker board on the waiting list. Karen. Hmm, so my nemesis has a name now. Damn.
I finished my 30 minutes. The most self-satisfying 30 mins of cardio yet. And then I politely got off the machine, cleaned it, and went home to shower in my new master bathroom.
I AM stronger than she is. I'm versatile. I can work out on ANY cardio machine. I do not restrict myself to just the Tread-Climber or Arc-Trainer. And I'm going to have a more-rounded workout week for it too. har har har.

Photo credit goes to Ebay - Cybex Arc Trainer and Bowflex Treadclimber TC6000* btw, the one at my YMCA is NOT a bowflex, but heck if I can remember what it is.

The Voyeur Mag - the new issue is HERE!

Photo Credit goes to Matthew Lane of Zazen Photo.

Getting Down to Business - http://www.thevoyeurmag.com/
Find out what happens when Dreama let's Joel take over the magazine for this issue!
Featuring NEW photos from Zazen Photo too!

Weekend Update

Photo Credit goes to Zazen Photo.

Glasses?
Ok ok, yes I got glasses. No I don't really quote "need" them, I still have 20/20 vision, but my doc says it may help me with looking far off into the distance. Aka - good for driving or watching TV, but not "needed". Well my job has me staring intently at miniscule text on my screen and meticulously checking it for required results, so I've sort of started wearing my glasses every day to work, and then taking them off when I get home.
I've never had glasses before, so it's really weird to me. I feel like I'm wearing sunglasses indoors, and I have to remind myself that "hello, yes if you are staring at something or someone, now people can SEE your eyeballs thru the lenses, so don't be so obvious." When I'd be in sunglasses I always felt sort of incognito and nobody could see what I was looking at. HA! This is totally different. Fun, but different.
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Matt says to me the other day "you're like my own little Sarah Palin" and he wanted me to put the glasses on, make my fingers into little guns, and say "pew pew" and wink - like the Tina Fey impression of SP. So I did it once to amuse him, but told him to stop calling me SP. LOL. I'd rather say I look like Liz Lemmon (from 30 Rock, aka Tina Fey)-thank-u-very-much.
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Weekend Happenings
Let's see, we did updated headshot photos (will post them later today hopefully - courtesy of Zazen Photo), installed 2 mirrors, a make-up counter, a privacy curtain, and rearranged the basement (aka Studio) for models use - cleaned out the pantry and laundry room, went to Twisted Taco for free food and drinks (pure luck it was opening night), went to Get Coffee twice (love love love their breakfast veggie burrito), watched "The Aviator" finally, saw a new Family Guy episode, put better "feet" on the coffee table for ease of moving it around, vacuumed, cleaned house, etc. Cooked up some Noodles in white clam sauce, I can't remember anymore. it was fun!
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Oh yes and our roommate is finally moved in. Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet! So far so good.
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No new Master Bath updates, but if this weekend is any indication, we are off to a great start as far as the residual productive aura permeating my house right now - GO GO GO!
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Treadclimber was available for use this AM. Oh you betta believe I got my butt moving on that!
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Rubber Duckies - Per Warren's challenge, I DID find some "Biker duckies" and now we have Valentine Day Ducks on display here in the office, and all the Biker Dudes got Biker Ducks. Thank you Oriental Trading Company!
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My new fave snack - Lara Bar! All natural (for shizzle - really really REAL all natural ingredients), healthy, and satisfying. Gotta love it!
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Decided to give up alcohol until the Age of Aquarius Party. It can't hurt, and maybe I'll drop some pounds? we'll see. Hot Tea is my new evening bliss.

Have yourself a Merry Little . . .

Photo Credit goes to Matthew Lane of Zazen Photo.

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Ah, as the month draws on and Christmas draws nearer, suddenly the weather seems to be getting WARMER! WTF? Where's the snow? and mistletoe?

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Anyhoo, everything is peachy keen at the moment. Let's hope it stays that way.

I have my HoneyBaked Ham ordered, and the house is ready for Christmas. Ahh the holidays are here!

Drip Drip Drop little Master Shower . . .

Photo Credit goes to ME! lol.
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My company hosted a "Craft fair" this Wednesday and we were selling Matt's Prints there from Zazen Photo. It was our first "show" so to speak, and it went pretty well. We only sold 1 item, but we made lots of contacts. I am glad for the experience though, now I will know what to do at a Gallery if we do a show at one.
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I have been sick a little this week too (drainage and sniffles and sneezing) but I started to feel like it was a sinus infection (bad for me) so I started doing my nosespray and Mucinex stuff, and it's getting gradually better. I am perkier today than I have felt in a while - but still very tired.
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Our Master Shower is leaking - and the repair guy says it will be $5000-10,000 to fix it (because all the tile has to come out, and the way they did the damn bathroom that means the ENTIRE shower and floor will have to be replaced). We were about to tell him to START as we thought the roommate was moving in in January, but now he may not (his work just layed off 15% of their people, and he is skittish - even though he has his job still). We are waiting for the potential roommate to make up his mind first. blah!
Then Matt thought he FIXED the shower, and it was NOT leaking for a few days, but then this morning it started to leak again. I'm like DAMN IT!
so we will see. For now, if the Roommate doesn't move in, we can just NOT use the shower in the Master bath. But eventually we will need to fix it. Maybe after the Tax Returns? I am not sure. Money money money - I need more! LOL.

Finally on the 3rd outfit change . . .

Photo Credit goes to Matthew Lane of Zazen Photo.
We spent 3 photo shoots trying to get this photo right. Welcome to a preview of our Christmas Photo for 2008. The first problem was finding an outfit where I don't look fat. The second issue was getting Matt to smile (hee hee), and then Sport needed to have his ears UP not down.
So after 3 outfit chgs and shoots, we finally got it. Don't they always say "Third time is the charm" ?

KY, Herring, & Spa, Ah-Choo!

Photo Credit for this amazing photo of Kymry, goes to My beloved Husband Matthew Lane of Zazen Photo.
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Kymry's Homecoming Party went off without a hitch on Saturday evening. She had a full spread of Norweigan fare for us to sample. Pickled Herring in Mustard, brown cheese of some sort, blue cheese atop white chocolate, Norweigan Milk Chocolate, Norweigan cookies, Hariboo Candy, etc. The chocolate was fabulous, the brown cheese was weird but it grew on you - tasted like a caramelly/peanut butter cheese. Pair that cheese with chocolate and I'm in love! However, I avoided the pickled herring like the plague. Yech! I am adventurous about most things, but I already had an aversion to anything pickled, and I am just now starting to like SOME mustards, but to add a nasty fish to it?? no way jose! I let the other braver souls at the party try it. They said it was rich, creamy, but strong tasting. I just smiled and said "good job for trying it" but I didn't have any. The cookies were ok, but I don't think I will run to the store for them. The Milk Chocolate was AWESOME! The blue cheese/white chocolate mixture was ok, but not my favorite. Kymry later said that they usually serve a "black cheese" on top the white chocolate, but that she couldn't find that here, so she got the blue cheese instead. It is okay though, people ate it.
Amazingly, this Fergie-look-a-like and one-time Miller Lite fan had actually graduated into Guinness and Boddington's Beer. Matthew & I grinned like proud parents.
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There must have been a good 50 people crammed into Erika & Holly's house and spilling out onto the deck that night. We stood and talked with people for almost 8 hrs. My feet were sore when I got home (even though I had worn MERRILL's!). Talk about a big party. We ran out of beer, we ran out of glasses, but there was plenty of wine and whisky, so the party survived. I started the night with a nice Carmenere, but graduated to Cabernet Sauvignon, and then a Malbec later in the evening. No I didn't drink all night. I actually had wine with dinner around 6pm, then at 8pm switched to water (drinking out of a Mason Jar since there were no glasses left and it was bloody hot outside (the one day all month it was 88 and muggy at NIGHT!!), I had about 6-7 glasses of water, and then got tired of being the only sober one there, so I had 2 more pours of wine afterwards. Matt and I left around 1:30am to hit Taco Cabana's drive thru for some nachos (our typical late night place), and then home to eat it. We somehow ended up watching Live Free or Die Hard while we snarfed down our Nachos, and while Matt went to bed, I continued watching it, unable to stop, and finally went to bed at 4am. ooh yes, I'm a glutton for punishment. Thank Goodness for the "Crystal Light -Hydration" - once again saving me from a hangover. :-D
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Sunday we slept in as late as possible, and then finally roused ourselves in time to throw on some clothes and go to Minsoo's for Formula 1 viewing of the race in Spa, Belgium. Considering this is skilled driver racing, Formula 1 still has a soap-opera-drama-appeal due to all of the interesting things that happen on-track and off-the-track. McLaren's spy Scandal is one off-track incident. Spa is one of the hardest tracks to drive, especially since it started to rain, and the cars are no longer allowed to use traction control. It's hard not to get excited when there is rain, because the likelihood of a crash or near crash increases and that's when the fun begins. This race, Hamilton and Raikonnen were neck and neck for First place towards the last 2 laps. At one point Raikonnen had edged Hamilton off the road, but then Hamilton swung back in and passed him. Shortly after this Raikonnen (who easily had 2nd place) spun out twice and finally crashed into a wall (uninjured, just stupidity). Later, it appeared towards the end, that Hamilton had won! However, just after we watched him do the "podium" and "after-race interview" Minsoo read an article on his iPhone that Hamilton had been penalized for cutting a chicane (the spot where Raikonnen had edged him off-road) and thus slipped to 3rd place putting Massa in 1st. Oh the drama. Hamilton is one of the younger drivers, and thus seemingly hated by the older-more experienced drivers. Several of the guys in our F1 fan group just hate Hamilton, but even THEY had to admit it seemed very unfair that Hamilton wasn't awarded 1st place. He ran off road because he HAD to for safety reasons. Did the F1 association WANT him to hit Raikonnen to stay in the bounds of the track? I mean it just wasn't going to happen. Oh well. Minsoo's living room was in an uproar. I just sat back with the other 2 girls and laughed at the men. Hysterically funny! I go to watch the men get all excitable, I don't particularly get all involved in the races. Although, I love to watch the driver's crash or almost crash when they get those huge wheels too close to one another. ha!
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In other news, I finally went through a bag of clothes given to me by a friend (her neighbor & friend had moved to Maine and left behind some GREAT shoes and sweaters, etc). However, unbeknownst to me, there was CAT HAIR all over the clothes. Also, I had the grave misfortune of opening the bag of clothes in my bedroom, whilst the ceiling fan was on HIGH, thus spreading ALL of the dust/dander/cat hair, all over the room. I am terribly allergic to cats, and have spent much of the weekend SNEEZING in remorse. AH-CHOO! To add insult to injury, the shoes and clothes were both 2-3 sizes too small for my gi-normous self, but I was able to give some to Ms. Kymry & Erika, and also saved a few gems for my sister-in-law. Oh all my dear sweet tiny-skinny friends and family . I really do need to go on a DIET! At least we will be walking all over creation while we are in NYC so maybe I will lose a few pounds on this vacation?

"The Voyeur Magazine: Urban Heat" issue is out now!

Photo Credit to Matthew Lane of Zazen Photo.
Well, she's done it again! Dreama put out another issue of The Voyeur Magazine, this issue is called "Urban Heat" - please check out the photography section (done by my hubby), and the models are myself and the mysterious Etrain. We did a shoot inspired by Gil Elvgren's Pin-up style art. Please note, the photographer in this shoot did NOT use Photoshop to alter the images, these were taken directly as-is, in the studio. GO MATT!
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Also featured, an interview with Mikamy Meadows Owner Amy Mattingly, and a section on my top 3 Political issues (mentioned in a previous blog.
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I'm so very excited today, because we are also doing a Photoshoot with our long-time friend Kymry (we call her KY), who has returned home from Norway (aka she calls it Borway) for a vacation in the USA. Next week KY leaves ATL and travels to NYC where our group is meeting up for Lauren and Torrey's wedding. WOO HOO!. I can't wait. Matt has never been to the big city, so he is in for a treat. All he can talk about tho, is the BNH Camera store. LOL. uh oh. I'm more excited about the trippy hotel we are staying in. More to come later.

August is A "Gust" of activity no doubt!

Oh lawd! I am in for a crazy month, or should I say FALL. Geez - allow me a moment to PANIC! inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale, "breathe with me" <--that always reminds me of the Prodigy Song "Breathe". Photo Credit
Week One - Dr's appt, Hair Appt with Debi Blair,
Week Two - Dr appt, Chiropractor, Dreama & Jim in town, Marybeth & David visit so she can move him into his dorm for the next year of GA Tech school! yay! Go David Go!
Week Three - Marybeth flies back, David in school, Jamie & Baby Michael come to visit, Hair appt for Jamie, Drive to Grandpa's, visit with Auntie Julie too (yay!)
Week Four - drive back from Grandpa's, Jamie & Michael fly back, Chiropractor
Week Five - breathe with me - exhale exhale!
then September starts - KY in town, travel to NYC for wedding, keep Matt from spending too much at BNH store? LOL.
October - Trip to Orlando, then Miami, get on Cruise, get off Cruise, drive back to Orlando, Drive back home, etc.
then I get a blessed 2 weeks to relax before my AGE kicks in. I'm going to be 30 this year.
The Dir-Tay, Thir-Tay. The year when single women of this age start their sexual revolution (or so I am told), but what happens to the married ones? I am certainly looking forward to spicing up the bedroom some more in lieu of the single-woman's fun. LOL.
OMG I'm so old, I'm so old!
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Yeah I wish the "get on cruise" part was Tom Cruise too . . . you read my mind.
ha!
just kidding Matt!!! hee hee.
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In other news, Matt's getting ready to put out the "Two Point Oh" version of his Zazen Photo website. He's got new images, a writeup on the portfolio, adding client links, and perhaps even a "testimonials" section (we were talking about that last night). Check out his Kudzu profile for the current info, he has already had SIX 5-star nominations!!! GO MATT!
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Busy Bee

Yesterday was an insanely productive day.
-worked out 30 mins
-assisted drafting contract for new client
-created new reporting template for work
-finished Candy Study homework
-shopped at Publix for necessities
-ordered sweater & pants from VS Catalog online
-ordered sweaters from Alloy online/then over phone since online isn't working right
-emptied dishwasher
-made dinner (hamburgers (no-bun) & salad)
-emailed friends in Norway
-called Airtran to check on my refund
-walked dog for 30 mins
-watched Iceland episode of "No Reservations/Anthony Bourdain"
-helped Matt rate/select photos for project submission
-put away laundry
-organized papers for office
-emailed magazine editor about project
-fixed inaccuracies on a major report for a co-worker
-called Grandpa to arrange visit with Jamie & Baby Michael
-Emailed Aunt Julie to coordinate visit
-updated facebook status
-fell asleep exhausted
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I don't know why I'm telling you this, but I'm very tired. Will blog more later when energy levels return to normal.
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Interesting Article Stop Setting Alarms on My Biological Clock. Good read.
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Geez they do NOT make it easy to be Green - When Building Green can harm the environment.
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Rate Zazen Photo on Kudzu.com!!!

Please drop by and write a kind word for Zazen Photo the Photography of Matthew Lane, Atlanta Photographer, on Kudzu.com.
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Thank you so much!
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In other news, I went to Wine Club last night. Normally, there are only 4-5 girls who show up, and that means 4-5 bottles of wine to taste. So we taste a bit liberally of course, but you aren't trashed when you finally leave.
but last night was different.
Thank goodness Mina was my surprise designated driver. She called me about 10 mins before I was going to leave, and offered to drive us. I am so glad I took her up on that offer.
the wine was "Chianti"
and somehow
this time
there were TEN women there - which means TEN bottles of CHIANTI to taste.
One of the ladies seemed hell-bent on getting them all done in a hurry. We passed around 8 bottles of wine in 38 minutes. I swear that has to be a record.
True we had to get them all done, but tasting 8 wines in 38 minutes is another way to get Abbie toasty in a hurry!
damn!
Thankfully, I had the foresight to pack myself a little bottle of Crystal Lite HYDRATION!
ahh yes.
Mina dropped me off at home, and then I almost immediately went to bed.
I do have a headache today. but it is okay. I am surviving. I am not hungover, my tummy is fine, just have headache.
Tried a new cheese last night. Cotswold. that is some GOOD STUFF! and it goes well with Chianti - of course.

SOLD!

Matthew Lane of Zazen Photo sold his first Framed Photograph today!

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The "Final Approach" photo of the white bird coming down to land in the water SOLD today!

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This particular image was hanging in "The Hair Lounge" - so now we have to get another image printed and framed to replace it. I'm so excited. GO HONEY GO!

Life in the Fast Lane

Well, as you can see, I'm a slow blogger. As much as I type everyday, you'd think I could get this thing going.

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Anyhoo, nuff of that. WOW life has changed since the last entry. It's been almost 1.5 yrs!

I did get a new job afterall, but staying within the same company. I'm now an "ITIL Change Analyst" (well that is the job title), but my role is "Change Manager" (meaning that is the work I do), and the payband is something like "Project Manager" (meaning that is the closest title they have for us even tho we really aren't project managers and have an excuse to pay us less $, I think). Talk about confusing! This job is much better and less stressful than my last one, so we'll see how it goes. I've almost been doing it a year now, fun fun.

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Ok so what else is new? I have a facebook account & a myspace page - both of which I neglect horribly. We remodeled the kitchen - we tried to sell the house and move downtown, but then we decided to stay. Matt sort-of-took-over the camera he got me for Christmas in 2006 and became a photographer. The business name is Zazen Photo - and I am now his business manager/ model/ assistant/ everything else. We've taken a few vacations, and I think that is it in a nutshell. Of course there's just not enough time to tell it all.

Most recently, we've hung some of his photography in a local Get Coffee shop, (Say HI to Durinda the owner if you stop by) and at a local hair salon called the Hair Lounge: (say hello to Debi there).

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Matt's also the photographer for a new client Amy of Mikamy Meadows. I used to work with Amy back in Ohio a few years back. She is a dog-lover, wonderful nature/organic person, and just all around fun woman. I am proud that we get to photograph her earth-friendly products! Check them out. Hint: you can get discounts on her products if you get on her mailing list for the newsletter and enter all her contests. Currently there's a "salsa recipe" contest going.

We just got back from a trip to the beach. Staying at a hotel on Treasure Island just near St. Petersburg Florida, and that's where my sister Jamie lives with her son Michael. I love being an auntie. I got to play with him in the ocean this weekend. That was the highlight of my trip, other than eating at Crabby Bill's mmm mmm mmm. Sunburn was the lowlight. yeah. ouch! just say NO to spray sunscreen cans.

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Yesterday, we took our Dog Sport to Sope Creek for a hike and he somehow cut the pad of his Left front paw. I have been trying to keep it disinfected and bandaged up with neosporin, but the darn dog keeps removing the bandage and licking the heck out of it. On the upside, he isn't wincing or favoring that paw at all, he acts like it's no big deal, so maybe it's okay to leave it unbandaged? I'm still keeping an eye on it. I don't want him to get infected. Glad it doesn't hurt him tho. Stubborn darn dog!

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Current Goals: expand the Zazen Photo business further, pay off credit card, get in shape (I'm finally giving in and getting a YMCA membership so I can work-out cardio every AM), meditation/yoga, and resting until the next vacation.

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Upcoming news for the future: Poker at Midget Mansion, my first Hair Lounge visit, Pin-up Style Photo Shoot for The Voyeur Magazine, Mikamy Meadows Party, wedding in NYC, Bahamas Cruise, paying off credit card, getting into shape.