2018 Resolutions/Guidelines

HAPPY NEW YEAR…. In a few hours … look I plan to be sound asleep in bed at midnight or at least in bed wishing the neighbors would stop with the fireworks already. So I’m telling you happy new year now mostly cause I can’t wait for this shitstorm of a year to just go. Seriously 2017 don’t let the door hit you on the way out. It’s not 2017’s fault, really I mean it just showed up and what happened …well it just happened however I’m blaming 2017 cause there’s really no one else to blame.

Overall it was a pretty decent year, for me anyway, for the Country that's for history to decide. My 2017 resolutions all pretty much came out ahead so that’s a positive. In 2017 my resolutions included write more … which I did … kinda …hey I finished my Haley and Michael’s story so that’s one thing I did … I didn’t start a new one which I had wanted to do but hey that’s Future Marcy’s problem right?! I also wanted to exercise and lose some weight. I did kind of do this, I maintained the weight I was at so I didn’t gain any but I lost very little too so I’m calling this one a draw. I wanted to Travel more and damn if that didn’t rocket to the top of my success list. I traveled to Auburn a few times, Birmingham a few more times, Atlanta a few times, Pensacola (for work), Orlando for fun, and Nashville for the best weekend ever. I definitely can say that this resolution was met with a very happy yes let’s do that attitude. I wanted to get more involved in church, since I had just started a new church in 2016 and I can definitely report that I did do that, from Vacation Bible School to helping with Communion and the Nursery this was also a successful resolution. I also helped with several “parents night out events” and have been appointed to keeping up with the monies coming in and out of the church in 2018 which I’ve already started. I wanted to spend more time with friends which I can report I did so, I mean I didn’t go on all those trips myself did I? I want to make more time to stop and do lunch with friends, or have dinner with friends I don’t see often more in 2018 so that’s a new goal. I also didn’t want to die. That was the main thing I wanted to accomplish for 2017 and I can proudly say that I accomplished that goal. Whew … it was touch and go panic wise most of the year but I did it. Suck it 2017.

So … what do I hope to accomplish in 2018 …. What does it have in store for me ….. what can I try to control when the outside world is too much ….. these are my resolutions/guidelines for 2018 …

1.       Lose Weight – I desperate need to keep this one in check. It’s weird I’m like the opposite of anorexic, like I don’t feel overweight when I’m just sitting around or walking around then I walk by a piece of store front glass and I’m like who the hell is that or someone takes a picture and I’m all ewwwwwwwwwwwww. I really need to get this in check sooner than later and no time like the present, or tomorrow, maybe tomorrow is better. If nothing else I want to be able to go to things and buy a tshirt remembering that trip or that event and right now I’m often told they don’t have that size I have started wearing clothing that fits instead of clothing that’s too big so I can hide in it some. That’s helped a bit but I have more work to be done … stupid chips … being so damn delicious.

2.       Clean More – I have a tendency to let things go until I simply can’t take it anymore then have a massive day where I spend it cleaning, typically it’s a Saturday and by say 5pm I’m done even if I’m not done. So my area often looks worse than it is cause there are piles of crap everywhere. I need to take a lot of stuff to good will, I have far more clothes than I’ll ever wear, I need to throw things away that I’m not going to use and are of no use to anyone else. These are things I really need to do. I should also vacuum more but I know me let’s start with just being able to sit on the window seat.

3.       Spend more time with Friends – this includes dinners after work, or long lunches with friends I don’t see often. I did some of that this past year but not nearly as much. There was still al lot “let’s do x-y-z” then nothing came of it, and I miss these people. My goal is to do more of the planning and less of the not doing the planning. I’m not talking long trips, I’m talking around town going to movies, going to dinner, having adult conversations over adult beverages. I’m really bad about thinking no one wants to do x-y-z with me so I don’t ask, but I need to trust these people to tell me no. ha!

4.       Travel more – I want to continue to travel in 2018. I really enjoyed that aspect of 2017 getting to go and do things instead of being at work or not being at work. I even enjoyed a few of my work travel trips, tho my friendship trips were way more fun obviously. It’s not even 2018 and I already have a trip to New Orleans planned for Mardi Gras (who am I ?) and also a trip to Orlando in October with that same friend now that I think about it. So I’m hoping 2018 will follow 2017’s example and I’ll have more fun during my “downtime” cause after all that’s why I work as hard as I do right?!

5.       Spend time with the nephew’s – As I said the other day the older nephew will be in college next year, that’s just insane. I know after he gets to Auburn he’ll have less time with his aunt Marcy and that’s ok. He’s growing up and has his own life but I have little time left to hang with him so I want to take advantage of it even if he’s busier than I am between school, work and his girlfriend, bring her a long, I like her. As for the little one when big bro leaves I want to hang with him more too cause I remember when my brother left for school I suddenly felt like I was disconnected from him even if we didn’t spent a lot of time together as it was. I want to do more with them than go to a sporting event, have lunch, then come home.

6.       Discover new music – last year I found a new artist whom I adore cause I took a chance and found someone who I my ear holes have been very happy that I found. My twitter follower list is filled with independent artist just waiting for that big break and I like seeing that from the beginning. I also want to post more about these artist to try and put their name out there some. When this blog first started I wrote a lot about my obsession with music, I need to get back into that.

7.       See more movies – I’m not talking about DVDs tho I do have a ton of those still in the wrappers but I’m talking seeing movies in the theater. I had several movies this year that I wanted to see then never did. Either I couldn’t’ find anyone interested in said movie or there wasn’t a good time to go so the movie left the theater. My goal this year a movie every other month even if I have to go alone, I mean it’s not like me and the friend I drag along are going to be talking through the movie right?

8.       Write more letters – sure social media is fine and allows us to feel connected even when we really aren’t, but a long or short letter to someone can make their day. I want to do that more often, I had a pen pal I guess I still have that pen pal I haven’t heard from her in a while but I went a few months without reaching out to her too. I want to make more of an effort to her and to others in my life who aren’t close enough to touch but that would be fun to reach out to in this more traditional way.

So that’s the plan for 2018 …… I’m sure I’m leaving a few things off but just cause they aren’t on this list that doesn’t mean I can’t do them right?! I’m not nearly as anxiety ridden about 2018 as I was but I see another social media break for me in my future. I really enjoyed the Lent break I took and I think that’s going to become a yearly thing for me. It’s good to step away, stop with the RT and shares and think about how we use that platform not always for the greater good. I’m hoping that 2018 will include more conversations and less name calling, more discussions about events and ideas and less dismissing things outright since they don’t fit into my beliefs. I think we can make the world a better place in 2018 but only if we strive to listen to one another, have the conversations we’ve been avoiding and realize that it’s ok to not agree with others as long as those disagreements are done respectively. You can’t change someone’s view but treating that person as if they are an asshat. You don’t have to change the world but you can make it a better place. Let’s make 2018 a positive year and that starts with what we post, how we interact with one another and frankly what we put out into the world. 

Let’s do this!

Marcy (@beaslma)

Mandatory Year End Post

We started this blog in August 2014 and as I look towards the end of 2017 and towards 2018 I can’t help but wonder …. Why someone would take the time to read what we have written. I mean 12,909 times people have clicked on this blog in the last three years, you’d think that you guys would have better things to read. I mean don’t get me wrong …. I appreciate you all being here I just wonder if you don’t have a head injury, lost a bet in hell, or are under court order forcing you to be here. Either way … welcome and I hope in some small way we have entertained you.  According to my calculations we had over 24 posts this year and had 5 months with more than 3 posts so that’s exciting. I even got Golden to do a few posts in 2017, here’s hoping she makes it back in 2018 more.

I will admit this time last year I was very wary of 2017. I didn’t have high aspirations for it …frankly I wasn’t sure we’d even be around for yearend post to be possible so since we are …. 2017 is a win, I guess, I mean jeezz that bar was set really really low huh? I spent most of the year at near panic attack status and my social media break during Lent helped get me back in check somewhat. It was that serious people. I have also decided based on my previous fears to “seize the day” as it were and do things outside of my comfort zone. I can honestly say for the first time in my professional life I did not neglect my vacation time. You know what was so great about that….work didn’t fall apart. Everything continued as needed and I realized for the first time really that it truly wasn’t all on my shoulders, something my boss has been telling me for years.

This vacation time was spent having a really great time. I started the year with a trip to Auburn to see the Gymnastics team do their thing (we wanted to go to a softball game but no tickets available), then Golden’s birthday trip to the Zoo in May. In July I went with a friend to see Asia/Journey in concert and fart around a bit at the Beach being lazy in a pool (that’s right people I worse a swimsuit in public and no one died (that I’m aware of anyway)). In August/September Dragon Con took full stage, and in October Nashville/Ed Sheeran then to cap off the year Disney with Golden. I made a deal with myself last year I was going to travel more, spend more time with friends and family and have experiences not just wish I was doing things. I took over 3 work weeks (15 days total) off this year at various points of the year and still have over 3 weeks in the vacation bank. According to HR I can also be sick for a month should I need to utilize that, here’s hoping I don’t, then again a mental health day every once in a while might be a good idea. I’ll cough now in case I need it *cough*.

That’s crazy to me, but that’s what some 14 years of neglecting your vacation time gets you I guess. That’s another mile stone I reached, I have now been at my job for 14 years. If work were a kid it would be a teenager about to start studying for his/her permit as he/she stands at the top of the stairs yelling they hate me for being well an adult and “interfering in their life” or some jazz like that according to TV/movies I watch. As it stands, I’m still not married, not even in a relationship of any type, and kids are so far out of my radar that I’ve decided I’m ok with not ever having any, that’s what Nephews are for right?! Speaking of Nephews in 2018 the oldest will be graduating from High School and he’s already been accepted to Auburn University for the fall. He’s really stupid smart and has gotten over $8K in scholarship monies so far and they are still rolling in. I’m insanely proud of him and yet also worried about him at the same time. I’m sure he’ll do fine but I know that my first semester (Quarter … we were on Quarters then) was rough and no matter how many times I tell him that he thinks I got this, which is fine cause I did the same thing when my brother tried to warn me. He’s going to have find out himself and I know that but I wish he could learn from the mistakes I made. He’ll be fine, he’ll stumble and pick himself back up and I just might have to make it to a few games next year to you know check on him and all.

I did a few things this year for me, I went to the doctor for some long overdue things that could have waited but are making my life easier so I’m glad I did it. My blood pressure is more under control than it has been which is, as Martha Stewart would say “a good thing.” I lost a little bit of weight but would like to do more. I’ve never really dieted (as anyone who has seen me can tell) but I do think it’s time I did something for real about this weight, the issue is I really like to eat, and I’m also a stress eater. I don’t eat a lot but what I do eat isn’t good for me, lots of fried food, salty stuff that kind of thing. Chips are my weakness… I LOVE CHIPS any kind all day long. I think it’s the crunch. I also love opening that bag for the first time…… “Hi…My name is Marcy and I’m addicted to the crunch of eating chips!”

2018 I hope for more of the same …. Travel, time with friends, time with family, fun not just work … that’s the goal. I already have a few fun things lined up for 2018 including a few concerts and another trip to Disney in October with Christina and her family. We are going to trick or treat in the Magic Kingdom people! That sounds like so much fun ... mental note to self gotta find a costume. I assume that we will do Dragon Con again but it’s far too early to make those plans, ha! Of course I’ll continue my involvement at our new church – um … I’ve now been there over a year can I still call it my “new” church? – These silly people have appointed me as the record keeper for the monies coming in and out of the church, which is very daunting cause me and numbers don’t get along. Lucky I have people watching my back to make sure I’m doing it correctly, bless them. I assume I’ll also help with Vacation Bible School again and more Kid’s Night Out events are in my future as well I’m sure. The kids seem to enjoy them and I think the parents do as well.

I will write another “New Years” post with resolutions/guidelines for the coming year, but I’ll admit 2018 doesn’t feel as scary as 2017 did, or maybe my brain is just numb to it all…who knows.

Either way … thanks for reading, thanks for being my sounding board, and thanks for not being bored even if I’ve started treating this thing like my diary of events.

Have a fantastic New Year see you on the other side!

Marcy (@beaslma)

PS – in 2018 I’m hoping to get Golden (@theonlygolden) back on this blog, 2017 was not good to her, it was downright evil actually, here is to an even better 2018 for her as well as for all reading these words.

2017 Christmas Calendar

PLEASE find below a Jpeg of the 2017 Christmas TV Schedule, in original size ... which makes it look like it is falling off the page but that makes it a better quality when you click and save it.  I am also putting a link to download the PDF which is, in my opinion, the easiest way to see it. I think it’s best to save the PDF to your favorite portable device so you can keep the calendar handy. It also saves your eyes by allowing you to zoom in and out to read that ever so small type. The jpeg breaks up the more you zoom so if you can the PDF is the way to go.

Link to PDF: 2017 Christmas Calendar PDF

This year I tried to highlight new specials (meaning had not aired previously before Jan. 1, 2017) in GREEN but as they are new be mindful of what you and your family sit down to watch. I vouch not for their quality, their rating level, or even their sappiness. As always this calendar is filled with new shows, some old classics, and some mediocre stuff that just fills the time slots throughout the month that are fun to have in the background as you wrap gifts, make cookies, fill out Christmas cards .... though my lawyers tell me I should inform you not to do all of those things at once, then again you are an adult and if you can multitask go for it, I myself would burn the cookies, waste the paper and end up sending Christmas cards to the wrong person.  

Unfortunately, the major networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX) started their Christmas right after thanksgiving which is why it’s hard to find Frosty, Rudolph, and A Charlie Brown Christmas. I’m not seeing that these will be reairing but I mean that’s just dumb right?! So keep an eye on those coming back to your screens. I hope they do. As stated below, I can’t find the Grinch cartoon showing in December. It was all over the place throughout November but starting Dec. 1^st it’s only the Jim Cary movie which is fun but the cartoon is fantastic.

Hallmark, Hallmark Movies and Mysteries (HMM on the calendar btw), Freeform, Lifetime, and Lifetime Movie Network have been vomiting Christmas themed movies since like last October (meaning 2016) it seems so only a hand full of theirs made the listings, but truthfully on some days they were the only game in town. If I needed room that was the first place I went to cut and trust me on some days it was a very necessary … but tough decision.

As a wanna be writer it amazes me that that they take the same concept, really the same story, change to a different “snow covered town,” change out the actors (usually Candance Cameron Bure for Lacey Chabert (from Party of Five fame, and Meg on the 1^st season of Family Guy, and Eliza on the Wild Thornberrys—didn’t know that did you? See you learned something by reading my rambling. Good for you!)), add a super cute guy for said female actor to fall for even through her heart belongs to another (another person or her work), drop both into said “snow covered town," wait for the spark to ignight then end on a happy/sappy note as their lives become one. Put a new title on the movie, create a poster of the beautiful people, and BOOM we got us a show!!

As always there are rules or as the guys at my work call them ….. “disclaimers” ….

• NO E-MAILS about taking Christ out of Christmas, it’s just a really long word. used over and over again, and using X-Mas allows for more shows on the already full calendar.

• Thanks for your understanding.
• For those that don’t understand I’ll be glad to remove you from the list just let me know.

• I live in the central time zone, the times on this calendar reflect that, adjust accordingly.

• That said unless otherwise stated the times are PM

• This calendar does not focus on established shows “Christmas special episodes” so watch out for those … some are fun to re-watch this time of year. Psych for instance has a great Christmas themed episode, and so did How I Met Your Mother, Friends, Big Bang Theory, Wings, Family Ties, and other established shows.
• Again, that is not what this is about.  Those are fun but those also air all year around, then again with Hallmark and Freeform I’m starting to think the ones that made the calendar are also available all year but if we go down that road all of this falls apart so … happy thoughts!
• This calendar contains shows I want to see, so a mixture of adult themed shows/movies and kid themed shows/movies are represented. Some are classics and some are new, so PLEASE be mindful of what is on before you sit the kids down with popcorn to watch. If your favorites didn’t make the list… well make your own calendar next year.

• Don’t call me cause your little one watched some holiday movie on Lifetime and now has “questions”. . . . that’s your mess not mine.

¾    Please NOTE: The Disney version of a Christmas Carol (AKA the computer animated Jim Carrey version) is a little dark and can be scary (much like the original story btw), you might want to check it out before you and little man/lady plop down with popcorn and a blanket to “watch a classic” that may also result in sleepless nights for both you and said child. Not me I’ll be sleeping like a baby due to a sleeping pill, you know like an adult. 

• That is also why Psych The Movie (Dec. 7^th USA) made the calendar cause it’s gonna be awesome and you need to see it and so alerting you to it’s presence is your Christmas Present this year!

¾    You are welcome … no thank you note will be required but it is polite to send one. Just saying. Your grandma would be proud of you but whatever, I’m sure she’s proud of you on the inside.

¾    PS extra credit if you know why there is a cool pineapple on the calendar to mark this occasion.

• Keep an eye out for additional shows/movies that pop up throughout the month as networks change their lineups.
• Feel free to add your own specials and traditions to the calendar that’s what it is there for.
• As stated some channels have been vomiting Holiday specials for several months so if a network had several great specials in a row I only listed one figuring you’d be alerted to the others as you watched, hey something had to give right!?
• For you stay at home mom’s they run specials all day long and for the most part my calendar focuses on the after work hour times since that is when I can watch.

¾    That’s right it’s all about me I just share the wealth cause I’m awesome like that!

¾    If you make your own calendar and don’t share it … well you are just the worst kind of person.

A few programs of note:

• A returning favorite made the list (yippie the list is working) Ernest Saves Christmas comes on AMC several times this month, check it out at least once, or twice or many many times … know what I’m saying Vern?!
• TCM is one again doing their “Night at the Movies” every Monday starting at 5:45 which will feature different specials and behind the scenes interviews. Holiday movies on the schedule include Miracle on 34th Street, It’s a Wonderful Life, and A Christmas Carol to name a few. They won’t say when they will air so you’ll have to check it out every Monday to see what’s on that week.
• I can only find A Christmas Story during the TBS Christmas Day Marathon so make sure you work it into your Christmas celebrations.
• Bless you Ted Turner, you crazy old man, may this tradition live forever!!
• I think it’s a rule you watch at least once.

o   If it’s not a rule it should be.

• I also think it should be illegal that that’s the only time it is going to air so keep an eye out for it maybe it will pop up a few extra times.
• Then again it’s 24 freaking hours of Ralphie if you miss it that’s on you. SHAME…SHAME!
• National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, one of the best movies ever, comes on several times this year on multiple channels but especially on Freefrom and AMC.
• Bless you FreeForm! Bless you AMC! Bless you Chevy Chase! Bless us everyone!
• Seriously If you don’t know the joy of Clark finally getting the lights to work…well I feel sorry for you and your family and the people that know you because you are missing the joy in your life. Correct that this year please! Don’t be Todd guys, who I’m sure cheered when Margo was attacked by Eddie’s dog.
• PS did you know that the lady who plays Clarks mom was the same lady that played Belle on Alice all those years ago.
1. I didn’t until Mom pointed it out this year, see kids let that be a lesson it’s never too late to learn new things.
2. Feel free to use this tidbit at you viewing party (during commercial breaks of course – no one likes a movie talker) to gain bonus points with your friends.
• It’s A Wonderful Life –  Dec. 9^th and reairs on Dec. 24^th on NBC It’s also featured a few times on TCM (as said note above states) so you should have plenty of time to see if Clarence gets his wings!
• The “boys” in my life informed me that DIEHARD should have been on the calendar …. boys are silly … however and I couldn’t find it showing anywhere other than say Cinemax, or via online viewing which my boss informs me is all that really matters anyway.
• So yeah there’s that. If you want to watch it … those are your options.

o   Sorry fellas. I tried, kinda.

A few programs of note that are not “Christmas” related but interesting enough to make the calendar include:

• Psych the Movie  - Dec. 7^th USA …. Seriously watch this and enjoy.
• CNN Heroes: An All Star Tribute – Dec. 17^th – it’s nice seeing that in a world full of insanity there are some people out there trying to do good and are being recognized for it. It’s a really inspirational night even if this year you have to deal with Kelly Rippa, so check it out.

Anyway, the intention of this calendar, much like the Halloween one is to get your family to pause and spend some time together making memories. In this season where we spend so much time rushing around we forget to enjoy the down time and enjoy the family time. Great specials come and go and if we don’t watch they will go forever.

Today’s “classic Christmas special” may be next year’s no show on the calendar. That’s the other reason for this calendar, if we stop watching they will stop showing. I’m looking at you CBS and Yes Virginia which I’m sure is airing but I can’t find out when so keep an eye out for it. As stated, I can’t find the Grinch cartoon, Freeform aired it like a billion times in their run up to their 25 days of Christmas but not one airing during the 25 days of Christmas, nope after Nov. 30^th all we get is the live action movie which I like but the cartoon has a special place in my heart and the people who decided not to air it during December have a special place in a very hot climate waiting for them. That’s how important it is people.

The point is, just because you have these shows on DVD, Blueray, or via online ordering, take the time to watch it with your family as it airs so that it will air for me for years to come.  If not for me do it for the children, as they are our future, according to some nice lady who I believe has passed away but her voice and legend continue to live on.

So sit back, laugh, smile, and cry (some of these are sad, I mean who doesn’t cry when George Bailey is standing next to the tree with Mary and his friends are coming in to save the Bailey Savings and Loan and Clarence gets his wings, oh no did I give the end away?! SPOILER ALERT) and have a safe and GREAT Christmas!

Marcy & Golden

PS – as always we thank you for reading our ramblings and thoughts, thanks for joining the journey of two girls trying to find their place in this weird wonderful world! #SayWhatMG

Nashville Night 2 ... AKA ED SHEERAN!!!!!!!

So it's been insane since the concert ... sorry this is so "delayed" but hey you have to quickly recover from a trip like this and everything else just falls to the side.

So ... back to where I was... oh that's right Day 2 of my super awesome Nashville trip with Christina and Trista. The day started out very innocently .... some sight seeing at the mall, maybe a boat ride through the Opryland Hotel later in the day and then .... the day turned amazing when we found the Smith Creek Moonshine distillery which was giving out free shots in the middle of a freaking mall!

Guys they had like 13 various flavors for our enjoyment... did I mention that the "tasting" was FREE?! I mean how could you NOT participate?! I will admit I didn't participate in all 13 flavors, I mean I even draw the line at alcohol when it has Peach in it ... or "coffee" flavored anything to be honest. I will admit when she pulled the coffee flavored one out Denis Leary popped into my head which made me giggle out loud harder than I meant to do so. By then I might have been a tick tipsy at this point cause ...incase you missed it ... FREE SHOTS!!!!!!!!

I will tell you what I tried and thought of the following:

• Sweet Tea - which was pretty good .. not fantastic but good.
• Peach - I declined this one
• Apple Pie - I declined this one too
• Chocolate Silk - this is the one that brought me to the table, it was delicious. Like hot chocolate with a kick. Like a nice hug that you didn't know you needed.
• Strawberry Shortcake - Another I declined
• Coffee - add that to the list I said no thank you
• Orange Cream - this one tasted like a Dreamsicle and it was delicious but too tart for my taste. I wouldn't want a lot of it at one time is my point.
• Butter Cake - this one was just gross . . . I mean I still vomit a little just thinking about it
• Ginger Snap - I declined this one
• Salted Caramel - If I could have married this I would have ... it was that good. Had they had smaller bottles of this stuff I'd have bought one but I didn't need the giant jars they had on the shelves. A thousand years from now I might be half way done with the jar... might be.
• Cinnamon  - I declined this one
• Lemon Lime  - I declined this one too -- eww I mean really? I mean who comes up with this shit.
• Straight - AKA White Lightening ... the OG of the Moonshine world -- the Granddaddy of it all ... and thank goodness it was last cause it burned ... hard. By this point most had walked away but me and a few others and let me tell you...one can't really appreciate the others without appreciating the base. I appreciate the base, and love what it signifies but yeah ... still burning a little bit to this day.

I will admit my friends didn't LOVE this portion of the day nearly as much as I did. However their displeasure of moonshine allowed me to have their shots so it was win ... win... win for me. So while I didn't try all 12 flavors I did have more than my fair share of 13 shots. Did I mention that we hadn't had anything to eat all day and it was close to 1pm at this point in the day and moonshine on an empty stomach is never a good idea?! ok .. cool just checking. That is a point that needs to be stated and just incase any of you saw me afterwards, no my face is not always that red, and yes I was on the verge of being a little drunk. On to food...STAT! I regret nothing....nothing I tell you ... except not buying any to bring home, I could totes finish that jar... totes couldn't but yeah i'm not a quitter.

After that we found food. I needed it, seriously my face was quite warm and i'm told that at some point I was dancing in the mall ... IN FRONT OF PEOPLE!!!! After a nice greasy burger I was good to go for round #2 but my crew refused to venture back to the Moonshine store, which upon hindsight... this was a good call on their part. Well played crew ... well played.

The coolest part of walking around the mall was seeing people in Ed Sheeran T-shirts from his first night in Nashville and talking to them about the show. The more I talked to people the more excited I got for the night ahead. Everyone had great things to say about the show and it just pumped me up more than I already was. I also discovered the shirt I planed to buy that evening. One decision made.

After the moonshine and lunch we made our way to the Opry Land Hotel for a quick boat ride around the hotel (more to sight see than anything else) then walked around the various shops.

It was at this point that I became an official County Music Manager when I financed the cutting of Christina and Trista's debut single, a cover of the Judds song "Grandpa tell me bout the good ole days." Unfortunately I was unable to be in the booth with them as they were cutting it I had business to attend to, gigs to book, myspace page to plan, Go Fund me account set up for our debut EP, you know that kind of thing. I wish the single was better but the equipment wasn't all that great. I'm going to work on that for their next single, cause I'm telling you this group is going places. Booking shows now just call 1-800-for-reals and I'll let you know about their availability. They will be made available for parties, weddings, really any place where people gather, your living room for instance. All money up front. Performance is non-refundable.

   

So we aren't ready to join Ed on tour yet but we'll get there one day and he'll beg to be the opening act for us! Sure that's how that's going to go...maybe I was still feeling the moonshine at this point in the afternoon. Shortly after that we made our way back to the car and back to the hotel to get ready for dinner at Pucketts, one of my favorite places to eat ever and then the concert.

     

I've been to Pucketts before once to see my boy Markus Fox play, and lo and behold I posted we were having dinner before the show and Markus hits me up. "What do you mean you are in town and didn't tell me?" - Did I mention Markus has recently moved to Nashville to pursue music full time and thus I don't see him nearly as much as I used to which makes me a sad Marcy ? - Turns out Markus was playing directly across from the arena and scheduled to go on AFTER the Ed Sheeran concert so he said we should come down. I was really excited to see him again and we made plans to get together
later that evening.

Then food happened. Guys Pucketts is soooooooooooo delicious. Imagine your grandma's cooking with a really awesome sound track playing behind it. That's how I describe Pucketts. No one was playing while we were there but it was still early. We wanted to give us plenty of time to eat and get to the show and boy did we. After a delicious dinner we went back to the Car to park at the arena then "walk around" as it started to drizzle. Stupid NATE....just kidding he wouldn't show up until Sunday but it was fun to say. We walked down one side of Broadway and then came back up until we were back at the arena. We also walked over to the Ryman, couldn't go in as it was closed but could see the building itself and walked through the "gift shop." Everything in Nashville has a gift shop . . . . everything.

Upon getting back to the arena we stood in line for a T-shirt but they didn't have the one I saw at the Mall earlier booooooooooooooooo hiiiiiiiiiissssssssssssssssssss, I did end up finding another but will have to start dieting like right now to wear it a year from now. ha! Then we got in line to go inside the Bridgestone Arena which took forever!!!!!!! I mean security was dumb tight and I get it really I do but good lord. Thank goodness we were so early. We made it to our seats in record time and I was immediately thankful for the seats cause they were amazeballs. Guys for real if he sneezed he would have sneezed in my face ... you know if he turned his head to the left. I was so excited .... I stood up and pointed to the back of the arena and told my friend, "those guys way back there are gonna be soooo angry!" I mean it's Ed Freaking Sheeran, he's a small ginger haired man with a guitar, that's it. Him, a guitar, and a loop pedal. Way back there I can't even imagine what he looked like .... I mean I guess it would have looked like him to those people. We also couldn't figure out where the "screens" were, I told my friend when we were planning that if I go I'm not watching a screen the entire time, I could do that on youtube for free. I had figured they were in the Jumbo Tron turns out that wasn't the case either. After a while I stopped caring about the people way behind us and focused on what was in front of us. That stage set up was ridiculous. Ed posted to Instagram a video of them building it once and I remember thinking they don't get paid nearly enough and upon seeing it in person i'm more convinced that's true.

Teddy's Photos - Stage Construction - Instagram

This evening was not without drama tho, just so you'll know. At one point my friend went to the restroom, I stayed in our seats. I had the tickets on my phone. She did not. The guy didn't want to let her come back to the floor. She finally just walked right past him and came to our seats. I mean it was the same asshat who showed us where to go like not 30 minutes before so she was like why are you hassling me.

Then without warning the lights went dark and James Blunt was on stage. I like James Blunt and upon leaning he'd be the support act downloaded his new album "The Afterlove" which I LOVE. It's cleaver and funny and just really good music. I really enjoyed his set which consisted of many of my favorite Afterlove songs but what no one set me up for was how funny Mr. Blunt was. He had us laughing between each song. It was a great start to the evening. While James was playing, that's right I've decided I can call him James now ..... the young ladies behind us were drink challenged and dropped a FULL coke with no lid and it was like the floodgates in New Orleans opened and took everyone out within a 3 mile radius. Christina, my friend, got the bulk of the spray. She was just happy it was coke and not beer, hold on to that hope Christina. The seats we were sitting in were soaked, the floor around us was soaked everything was soaked. So we stood for Jame's set. Seriously go get Afterlove. I was never a big fan of  You're Beautiful it gets on my nerves but as I've learned with Ed never just an artist by his singles.

When James went off stage watching the crew break down the stage and get it set up for Ed was fascinating. So much so that I didn't notice that the two young ladies who dumped coke all over us had been asked to vacate their seats when it was determined they were in the wrong seats anyway. They weren't even supposed to be there guys .... like what!?

During the intermission, since we couldn't sit, we talked with the couple sitting next to the "Coke girls" was we now refer to them. They were there celebrating the fact that their teenage daughter got a clean bill of health just that morning from scans done last week. She's been fighting cancer for 4 years and they believe she is now in remission. We all celebrated that. It was like our section was celebrating and it was awesome. The mom cried a little dad couldn't stop smiling and we were cheering for a girl we had never met. It was a really cool moment.

Then the lights went down again and ED walked on stage. Guys ... it was literally everything I wanted it to be and more. He was worth every penny. I hadn't looked up the set list he was playing at other venues cause frankly I didn't want to know. I didn't want to know he played say .... The City for Chicago and not here.... or that he played Lego House for Detroit but I didn't get it. I was surprised however by the setlist and have tried to recreate it in my own head tho I'm sure I'm missing some of the songs. He played (in no order other than what I remember) Eraser, Thinking Out Loud, Sing, Nancy Mulligan, Perfect, A-Team, Bloodstream, Don't/New Man/Happier remix (which I really want to have so I can listen to it forever on repeat), Galway Girl, Dive, and finished it off with Shape of you and You Need Me I don't Need you as his encore songs. I think there were more but those are the ones that pop into my head right this second as I type. I wasn't expecting Dive and Nancy Mulligan, two songs I love but just haven't gotten that much love. I also kind of expected him to dip more into his earlier CDs but this is the ÷ tour so it was getting all the love and I was A-OK with that.

Shortly into Ed's set the people who took the seats from the "Coke Girls" as we call them now were enjoying the show a bit too much for their Beer to handle and proceeded to lose control of their glass which then re-soaked Christina's chair, pants, shoes, and the floor. By the end of the show our feet were forever stuck to the floor. I really thought we were going to have to leave our shoes behind.

As awesome as both James and Ed were on stage one of my favorite things was watching this young man (11 or 12) sitting next to me who was at his first concert with his dad. His dad was so stoked about being able to give his son this experience and the kid recorded EVERYTHING like when the show ended I was shocked he still had any battery left for me to take a picture of him and his dad. It was so cool remembering that feeling of your first concert, mine was the New Kids on the Block with my mom and cousin (my cousin cried the entire way home). We saw several other people with similar stories ... the young girl with her dad who upon seeing her seats almost fainted. Another young girl with her friend (boyfriend?) who really needs to eat a hamburger but was also super stoked to be in that arena. A Young Couple who was almost more fun to watch than Ed To be honest. For those brief moments I was reminded why people go to concerts, why live music has a place in our world and why it should be celebrated. Sure we all have these songs on our phones, online and our computers but there's just something about live music that creates memories and connections with that artist that you don't get by just listening to a track in your room.

After Ed's show I was so pumped until we got outside and it was suddenly clear how many damn people were in that arena. Christina even looked at me and said, you ok several times. I'll admit part of me wanted to bail on Markus as opposed to walking through all those people, but we went ahead. If I had recently seen him or knew I'd see him soon I would have. I'm so glad we didn't however, we made our way across the street and walked right into the Bar. He was playing at a place called "Second Fiddle." When we walked in he was setting up his equipment, I hope he was as happy to see me as he let on cause it made me happy that he was happy. He was soaking wet with sweat but I didn't care that hug was totally worth being wet yet again.

It took forever for his band to set up, they were supposed to start at 10:30 and it was closer to 11 before they put finger to the first string. He's full on 90's country, don't ask him for Bro Country or the Marine will come out of Markus and that is just one of the many reasons that I love him. The other reason I love him, there were two young ladies who had to have been drinking since they were born cause they were trashed. They were dancing and having a good time but really getting on a lot of people's nerves cause they were at the point where the Drunk in them could care less about who was standing around them. Christina got hit in the face with one girls hair about 75 times. Markus finally got the attention of one of the guys with them and very quietly said "get them out of here before they get hurt!" and the guys listened. It was more enjoyable after that. It could have been a pretty scary situation quickly as they were knocking into people and annoying drunk frat boys which is never a good thing. It was an awesome end to a fantastic day. A few of the young ladies around us realized we knew him and wanted to know all the things about Markus. I will admit I told someone he was 25/26 but I think he's really closer to 30. I told them to find him on social media, see I'm still working for you Markus. He did a good job, I only wish I lived closer so I could hang with him more often.

Upon leaving Markus around 1am Sunday morning we went to an all night McDonalds near our hotel for beverages and food. I won't disclose how long we waited for the food just know it was closer to 2 when we finally got back to the room and had to wake Trista up to let us in when our key didn't work the front door. At that point I was ready to curl up in a ball and sleep in hallway, but lucky for us Trista let us in and my bed called me ending Day 2 in Nashville, well into Day 3.

When I say BEST.TRIP.EVER I mean it! I'm already trying to figure out how I can go see him next year on his Stadium tour. So I gotta make some money ASAP!

Hope you guys enjoyed our trip half as much as we did.
Marcy (@beaslma)

NASHVILLE FUN Night #1

So as a lot of you will remember I have fallen down the Ed Sheeran rabbit hole and when I say I fell down it ... I fell HARD ..... I am currently sitting in a hotel room in Nashville eagerly awaiting seeing him in concert tonight at the Bridgestone Arena. To say I'm excited ... well that's an understatement.

This trip has not been without drama. See my friend that is with me, she had a death in the family this week, Tuesday night to be precise. While I didn't want to be that asshat who said "but what about my concert" that was exactly the first thought that went into my head. We've been planning this for months and while I love her and am thrilled she ended up getting to come, I was coming if I had to sit there all by myself. I had a backup plan, always got to have a back up plan, but am glad I didn't have to put it into motion. See first I called Golden who had originally said she couldn't go this weekend but I thought it was just cause she didn't want to pay for the tickets. She actually had plans and couldn't go this weekend, thanks Mighty! Then I called another friend of mine, the one who I credit with making me fall down this hole to begin with, Katie, she was on standby. However Christina was able to make it work, so I told Katie to stay home and play with Nate. That's right people a Hurricane is coming but I could care freaking less, know why.... CAUSE I'M GOING TO SEE ED SHEERAN!!!!

Then Christina's friend who is having a rough time decided to tag along even though she isn't going to the concert just for a weekend of chilling with awesome people, the more the merrier! Let's roll .... the drive up was L-O-N-G. That KIA was pushing it hard and we got here around 8:30ish. We'd have gotten here sooner but there was a traffic cluster duck around Montgomery and another one in Birmingham and then some construction zone traffic that made the trip feel that we'd never get here.

We had tickets to the Opry last night and upon realizing that we were not going to make the 7:30 show we called, well Trista called, I was driving and Christina was trying to not throw up in the back (she gets real bad motion sickness when she's not driving) and got our tickets rearranged for the later Opry show. Thank goodness she did cause it was AWESOME!!!!!

I had so much fun, then again I've never been to the Opry where I didn't have a good time. If you ever come to Nashville it's a must activity. This was my 4th or 5th time coming at various points in my life and each show is better than the last. The other thing that's happened at each show... Vince Gill.

I mean I swear he must live in that circle. 

Tonight's lineup included .... Ricky Skaggs, Diamond Rio, Pam Tillis, Tracy Lawrence, Connie Smith, the Oak Ridge Boys, Vince Gill and Hunter Hayes. I wanted to see Diamond Rio back in the 90's so I was stoked they were going to be there as they start their Birthday celebration for their 92nd year! Happy Birthday Grand Ole Opry ... God Bless whomever decided to start this wonderful thing that has given us years of awesome music!

Tonight Pam Tillis broke out some American Girl by Tom Petty, which I loved, Diamond Rio made Christina cry with One More Day, and the Opry turns 92 this month!!!

I am so excited Trista made the show change, cause we had just decided we were going to have to live with missing it. I honestly was glad to go but the draw for me is Ed Sheeran tonight, but I knew Christina really wanted to see Tracy Lawrence and he did not disappoint at all. She's had a rough week and I'm glad she had a good time.

The crowd waiting to get inside the venue.

92nd Birthday cake

Shots of the various performers:

Christina and Trista at the doors

Everyone is up now so off for some sight seeing before tonight..... see ya tomorrow dear reader !

Marcy