Saturday, May 31, 2008

The Beginning of HEAT

They tell me this is only the beginning.

It was around 65 degrees this morning, and already there was enough humidity in the air to bring me to sweat while walking the dogs... in 65 degrees!!!  Ohhhh boy, this will be a long summer.  

Coming from Minnesota, where it reaches upwards of mid nineties for at least half of the summer, we're going to have to prepare for the majority of these days in that range.  Ahhh!!!  

Thank the lord above for air conditioning.  

So yesterday was the release of the Sex and the City movie, and my friend Venita and I went out to enjoy some sushi and sake at Nikko's last eve.  A group of obvious SitC devotees came in dressed perfectly for the show after dinner, and I smiled at how wonderful it is to be a woman.

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Friend's In Town

Amongst many viewings of Absolutely Fabulous and Flight of the Conchords, we've had a grand weekend.  More tomorrow - uploading pics now!

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Tales from the Tangled City

I must begin this entry with a thought on my gratitude for the iPod car adapter.  Being able to listen to Elvis or The Cars on a whim, is the best thing EVER!  And damn if my new little ride doesn't have some base.

After talking to my sister for more than an hour last night and my mum for about 1/2 of that, I was already in a good mood this morning.  I love hearing their voices.  I called my aunt this morning, too, as it was her birthday.  While going through pictures the other day with Tony, I pulled out a few I wanted to make copies of.  One of them was of her holding me, I would say... 32 years ago.  I was just a little tyke - probably couldn't even walk yet.  And she was younger than I am now.  Thought about that for a good part of the morning.

After work, I was able to join 6 co-workers for a meal at Cantina, off of East Rd. Nice place, fabulous food, beautiful outdoor covered seating... It was the first time I felt like I actually lived here.  One of them, Venita, is this hilarious, observant, gorgeous young woman of around 28.  She and I have become fast friends, and we're meeting her out tomorrow night, too.

I spent a good hour at work this afternoon, creating an itinerary for Hiedi's visit.  It includes a walk with the dogs at Freedom Park, a pedicure, a trip to the gym, a few lovely restaurant trips (if we can budget it), and a day-long hike in the breathtaking Carolina hills.  Forecast is looking sunny with some cloud cover.  Perfect!  Will update the post to tell our tales of adventure and silliness at the end of the weekend.  Have a good one, y'all!

PS. My legs and bum HURT!!!

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Damn These Winds!

We thought we were in a tornado tonight, albeit only for about five minutes.  When the wind blows here, it doesn't mess around.  Luckily, I had already run the dogs directly after work.  They are very well-taken care of pups.  Run them in the morning, run them in the evening - but no dogs parks yet.  
OK, I'm off to the gym.  Gotta work these legs OUT!!  

Monday, May 19, 2008

Construction Keeps Things Dusty

One of the only cities to have staved off the recession, it seems, is Charlotte.  There is still lots of building going on here, and we get a nice taste of it directly across the street...  

I'm uploading pictures tonight, because I'm spent.  Mostly, they are of the dogs, but there are some pics (if indeed they upload), of the neighborhood we're in.  

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Myers Park is not actually a park

... So we discovered this morning as the dogs and I set forth on a wee adventure.  I did take the camera in anticipation of taking pictures, but since buying the iPod tunes car adapter, I was handling too much technology at that point.  Couldn't handle it quite yet.

After winding our way around the Myers Park school area, we found a sweet residential side street (reminded me of the blocks off of the Minnehaha Parkway), and we got out and walked.  This, apparently, was where they were hiding the squirrels.  Cagney, of course, went nuts, but after some "redirecting", both dogs were fine and just took to sniffing everything they could.

Getting to the area was a good thing.  I'm becoming more acquainted with certain large streets, like Tryon, South, Billy Graham, Selwyn (niiiice).  Next adventure out might be to the only Trader Joe's in town on Rae Rd.  Oooowwweee what fun!

OK - so I signed p on this online Meet-Up site to meet people - three groups: one general going out group, one professional women of color group (they graciously let any woman join), and one bellydancing group.

After a two-hour cameo at one of my co-workers VH1 "Grind"-like party yesterday, I'm hoping to meet some people who are a little more... old.  hee hee

cheers,
me

Friday, May 16, 2008

First Entry in Retrospect

The first thing I noticed about this city was it's tree-lined streets.  Everywhere.  The area's growth has exploded in the last 10 years, so everything looks brand spanking new.  I'm personally a bit disappointed by that.  I had thought, if anything, moving to the south would introduce me to a very different culture, steeped in it's own traditions and way of life.

What I've found so far, is not that different from being in a suburb of Minneapolis.  Same restaurants, same mega-stores, same gas stations.

With some, pretty interesting exceptions...

1.  Chic-Fil-A, which I mistakingly called Chica-Fil (which co-workers still giggle about).  By God they have the best Carmel/Coffee milkshakes you've ever tasted.  And the chicken?  Umm... yes.

2.  MEGA CHURCHES.  You could see these things from space.  Seriously.  I'm dangerously curious about these structures and those who worship in them... May be checking one out in the next few months.  There's sure to be some culture to observe there!!

3.  There is no Minnesota Nice here.  People are genuinely nice, and genuinely crabby.  They open doors, they smile, or they scowl at you - you don't guess where you rate.  You're pretty sure you know by their expression or expletive.  Most of the time, strangers are cool, though.  Very cool.