Day 321

#np - Your the Inspiration by Chicago

Day 320

#np - Rainy Days and Mondays by The Carpenters

Another Monday!  I don't think today will get me down except that I can't follow the Olympic coverage from work.  But watching my favorite sport, swimming, last night had me thinking about my time as a swimmer.  My brother used to sing this song a lot.  In fact, the whole lot of us were pretty obsessed with The Carpenters.  Swimmers have always been pretty weird.  We were no exception.  I've thought a lot about my fellow PSTers the last few days.  I miss them all.  I have some amazing memories of growing up and most all of them involve a few people who enriched my life.  It may be time for a reunion.

Day 319

#np - Heroes by David Bowie

Since I'm Olymplics-obsessed, it makes sense that I'm obsessed with the London 2012 soundtrack.  I suspect the entire soundtrack will be featured the next two weeks.

Day 318

#np - Come Together by the Arctic Monkeys

There was a lot of hate on facebook and twitter over the Olympics Opening Ceremonies.  People are saying they were lackluster.  I missed the beginning so I could pick up Barkley but I loved the parade of athletes.  I always feel so unified when I watch the Olympics.  

I guess what I'm saying is "Shut up and stop hating on the opening ceremonies!"

Caveat:  Seriously, the Queen could've been a little more spirited when she declared the games open.  A toss of her hat or a twirl would've been appropriate.

Day 317

#np - Crazy by Gnarls Barkley

I almost missed today!  I got up this morning at 5:30 to leave out of the Atlanta airport early this morning.  I could barely function this morning so I'm not surprised I forgot my song.  Here it is now though (which is kind of appropriate because I did just wake up from a LONG nap).  Now I'm off to Waddy to pick up Barkley.  

Day 316

#np - Take A Walk by Passion Pit

I've self-diagnosed myself with tonsillitis.  :(  It's not a sore throat in the sense that I have a cold or the flu.  It's a localized soreness around my right tonsil and it hurts like hell.  Apparently I have tonsil stones.  I was able to shove my finger back there and without going into any more detail I will just say it's gross.  Sorry to be a downer but it's super annoying.  WebMD also says it can contribute to major bad breath so now I'm super self-conscious of the fact that I may have been bowling people over around me for the last week.  

It's so bad I may have to go to urgent treatment when I get home.  It hurts that bad.  I can hear my mom now..."Tara, you need to gargle some salt water."  

Thanks, Mom. :)

Day 315

#np - Just a Little Bit by Gina G.

Hold the phone.

Stop the presses.

Tell those kids to shut up.

I have an important announcement...

I worked out yesterday.  On a treadmill.  For 45 minutes.

Mark the f-ing calendar.

Resume your normal programming.

**I think I was just bored.  Let's not get our hopes up that this is a thing.**

Day 314

#np - One More Night by Maroon 5

Day 313

#np - Sunshine by Matisyahu

I love exploring places I've never been.  I love to watch scenery as I drive down the interstate.  I love new restaurants. 

But Columbus, Georgia doesn't have much.  We flew into Atlanta and then rented a car to get to Columbus.  It's about and hour and a half away.  Southwest doesn't fly into Columbus so it was a sacrifice we made in the name of SW Rapid Rewards points.    But getting here was completely uneventful.  As uneventful as the West Kentucky Parkway...without all the potholes.  

I ventured out on foot for food around 9pm.  I was a little scared that everything would be closed given that it was Sunday but I lucked out.  My hotel is in an outdoor shopping district so there are lots of chain restaurants.  I hurried over to Fridays and quickly figured out that they still have smoking sections in their restaurants and sure enough, the bar is a smoking section and that's where you place to go orders.  I sat there for about 30 minutes and I could feel my hair soaking up the smoke.  

I hate to be THAT person - that nonsmoker who hates on smokers.  I mean, no one was blowing it on me.  However, after you get used to YEARS of smoke-free public areas, the concept of "Smoking or Nonsmoking?" is so foreign.  I can't remember the last time I had to take a nighttime shower to wash the smokey smell off of me.  It was all so...weird.

So I guess Columbus isn't doing well so far on my list of favorite places I've traveled for work.  It'll be hard to beat Baltimore/DC and Austin and undoubtedly Seattle will put them all to shame in September.  But I'm willing to give Georgia and the people a couple more chances.  Except for the guy who hit on me at the bar (when I looked like a mess after 8 hours of traveling and just wanted my damn cheesecake), everyone's been pretty nice down here in the heart of the south!

Day 312

#np - Take A Little Ride by Jason Aldean

Off to Georgia with a new audiobook, Lakeside Cottage, on my iPod ready to go.  I listened to the first few chapters last night and it's great so far.  I didn't know that you could rent audiobooks online through the public library.  I'm hoping my travels are uneventful with the audiobook to keep me company.  Fingers crossed!

Day 311

#np - Runaways by the Killers

Day 310

#np - What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction

You know, the thing about these boy band songs is they get in your head.  Here you are, going along with life and suddenly you're singing the chorus of a song you can't name.  It drives you crazy but you aren't concerned.  That is until you hear the radio play it and talk about the resurgence of boy band fever.  Then you remember how you spent plenty of slumber parties singing NKOTB songs into your hairbrush and then had a dorm room full of NSYNC posters (where you may or may not have won an internet contest for a Lance Bass marionette - I loved the gays, even then!).  So of course you like the new boy band.  How can you not.  It reminds you of your childhood and of college and while you wouldn't return to those times, they do hold some sort of magic.  

Of course I'm just speaking hypothetically.  I wasn't a boy band fan girl.  

Day 309

#np - One Headlight by the Wallflowers

I'm leaving for Georgia (Columbus) in a few days for work.  One thing I've noticed with these work trips is that I have a tendency to treat the time in the hotel as a vacation.  That means I lay around and watch HBO, order dessert with dinner, and shop a lot.  I need to reign this in so I'm thinking I may take this opportunity (a fairly boring city and too hot temps outside) to start working out.  Maybe.

Day 308

#np - One Week by Barenaked Ladies

Confession: I like one reality show...Big Brother.  In fact, I love it.  LOVE.  I wish I could say I'm not proud of it but I don't even care what people think.  I love it.

The show started last week and I've already given in and gotten the live feeds.  I'm claiming that it's because I didn't want to be tempted to stay until until 3am to watch Big Brother After Dark on Showtime 2 but I think we all know that's a lie.  Anyway, last night the houseguests went crazy and it's only the first week.  I think this season will be really good unless it takes a sharp turn toward annoying which is always possible.

Day 307

#np - Just One Look by Doris Troy

Day 306

#np - London Calling by the Clash

11 Days to the Olympics! I should make it home from Columbus, GA just in time for the opening ceremonies.  :)

Day 305

#np - Day That I Die by the Zac Brown Band (feat. Amos Lee)

Day 304

#np - Sittin' On the Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding

This weekend will be a relaxing one where I try to gather everything together that I need for my next trip.  There won't be any bays or docks but I do intend on dreaming about them.  

Day 303

#np - All For You by Sister Hazel

Day 302

#np - Mr. Brightside by the Killers

Last day in Frankfort for a while. Last night was our networking centennial event.  I hate networking (as I said yesterday, I believe).  The best part of the afternoon was when my boss's boss looked at me and said "I hate this kind of stuff." We were quite the pair.  Today is our staff conference which I'm setting the bar low for with regard to keeping me awake.  Fingers crossed that I don't embarrass myself or get fired.

Day 301

#np - Buddy Holly by Weezer

Today I head to Frankfort at lunch for what is likely going to be the most awkward collection of state employees ever.  DFI is celebrating 100 years of protecting the public (!) and they're holding a celebration and staff conference.  Unfortunately I am too new to really know people and I don't like unknown situations with unknown people.  It's truly a wonder I made it through college.  Hopefully it's not too painful during networking hour.

Day 300

#np - No Diggity by Blackstreet and Dr. Dre

Wow!  300 days of being 29 years old!  That explains the aches and pains.  It also explains the weird looks I got when I walked into PacSun last week to buy some flip flops.  The floor staff tried to up sell me another pair of shoes (but they're 50% off!) and I had to say that no, I don't need any plaid chucks or pink jellies.  I mean, I do need plaid chucks but where does an almost-30-year-old where those?  I don't have any hip, trendy events coming up.  Dammit.

I'm spending the next three days in Frankfort (driving back and forth each day) for work.  I'm not a huge fan of the city which is weird because I generally like all things historic or government or anything called a capitol.  For some reason, however, it's always gloomy when I go to Frankfort.  Perhaps today will different.  

Day 299

#np - How Far We've Come by Matchbox Twenty

Day 298

#np - Ho Hey by The Lumineers

Day 297

#np - Days Go By by the Offspring

It feels good to sleep in!  This will be a completely unproductive weekend. :)

Day 296

#np - Take On Me by a-ha

I need book suggestions! Now that school is over I have tons of time to read.  I don't just want Harlequin romance novels though.  Nothing against them but I'm not really into the romance genre.  I like books that create a world (i.e. Harry Potter, Hunger Games, etc) for the characters to live or fight in rather than accepting the world as we know it.  I have a vivid imagination and I love the detail that comes with books that set the entire scene.  That usually leaves me with young adult books that have some kind of action scenario.  I don't mind it.  I like it.  But I've run out of recommendations.  Young adult fiction is hit or miss on amazon and the Lexington Public Library is tapped out (although I'm on the waiting list for a few titles).  Help!  

Day 295

#np - Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen

I spent the Fourth of July with my favorite couple, Sara and Zac, and Sara's family at their yearly cookout.  It was wonderful seeing everyone.  They're by far the closest thing I have to family in Louisville.  I just love them all.  Before dinner, while we were all snacking on a veggie tray, Zac and Sara both started singing this song and it was stuck in my head all night.  They're in their cute newlywed bubble still (they've been married just over a year) so I forgive them for this.

I hope you all had wonderful holiday celebrations!  I think I'm one of the only people that actually has to work today.  The field office is going to be empty.  A dance party at lunch may be in order!

Day 294

#np - American Girl by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

I'll be heading to the McGarveys for a cookout this evening but today I'll be celebrating America's birthday with my all-American pup.  

I recently found out my apartment management banned all fireworks in our complex which is good news for Barkley.  He doesn't mind storms or other weather issues.  But he HATES fireworks.  Hopefully he'll be alright while I'm gone.

Day 293

#np - Kick Drum Heart by the Avett Brothers

It feels so good to be home.  Yesterday I came home from work and snuggled up on the couch with Barkley.  There's just something about the comfort of HOME that you miss more when you're in a sterile hotel room a lot.  By the end of this year I'll have stayed around 50 nights in a hotel.  Next year it will be over 75.  I'm really liking my job and the travel is a perk for sure but I was so happy to see Barkley and be home on Sunday.  I think it's important to remember the little joys in life.  

A sweet dog happy to see you after work.

A sweet conversation with a family member after a hard day.

A surprisingly good book.

Slipping into bed and realizing you shaved your legs and put clean sheets on your bed that morning.  

The little things.  

Day 292

#np - Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears For Fears

Day 291

#np - Heat Wave by Linda Ronstadt

After 8 days I'm finally heading home to Louisville!  I will miss Austin.  It has been a wonderful trip.  The party we had for my grandmother was fantastic and I loved seeing all my family.  That being said, most of my trip consisted of 100+ degree heat and now I'm heading home where it's over 100 degrees, too.  

I'll be home for three weeks before I head back down south to Columbus, Georgia for my next training trip.  I'll spend the next few days getting organized and planning what needs to get done between now and then.  The worse thing about only one week between trips is that you can't even really grocery shop properly without having lots of waste.  I also spent most of my time in Austin wishing I'd gotten a couple more new outfits and a pedicure.  I need to do some better planning.

I also need a larger suitcase.  If I'm going to check a bag regardless, why not be comfortable and get a bigger bag instead of trying to cram everything in?  Just another lesson of the road!