(6541,1,'2011-07-11 19:31:54','2011-07-12 02:31:54','[caption id=\"attachment_6539\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"239\" caption=\"My favorite album from 1987\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/gm.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6539\" title=\"gm\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/gm.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"239\" height=\"239\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nA funny thing happened as Day 284 drew to a close.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt 9:15 p.m., as I was finishing writing a blog post, I realized that...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>I FORGOT TO LIVE MY BLOG ACTIVITY OF THE DAY!!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis had never happened previously.  Sure, sometimes I don\'t get around to my day\'s activity -- such as <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>carving a pumpkin</strong></a> or <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/03/day-276-printer-installation-hell/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>installing a printer</strong> </a>-- until late at night.  But I\'ve never entirely FORGOTTEN!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen it dawned on me what I had done (or not done), I stood in the middle of the kitchen in a frozen panic.  When I could move again, I ran to my old school Franklin Covey planner to look up what I had spaced.  Would I even be able to \"live\" my activity, or was I going to have to think of a last minute substitution?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd how soul-scintillating could an 11th hour substitution possibly be???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe entry in my planner was \" \'Newer\' music via Bri\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew!  I can do this!  I can listen to \"newer\" music per Bri\'s suggestion/request/double dog dare!  I\'d rather go to bed (because I am bloody exhausted) but I CAN DO THIS!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe joke behind this activity is that I\'m often teased about being stuck in music that dates no later than 1987.  After high school, I seemingly lost touch with the new stuff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere are a few exceptions such as <a href=\"http://www.dianakrall.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Diana Krall</strong> </a>(who sings old stuff) and <a href=\"http://www.raylamontagne.com/us/home\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Ray LaMontagne</strong> </a>(who sings new stuff that sounds like old  stuff).  Oh, and there was Alannis in the early 90s, and LIVE in the late 90s, and Keith Urban in the early millennium, but my point is that IN GENERAL, I most enjoy music from my youth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd male music lovers loooooooove to tease me about this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBri is no exception.  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/21/day-266-trip-down-memory-corner/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>When we visited Stinkweeds Music a few weeks prior</strong></a>, Bri <em>insisted</em> on buying me Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith CDs. He wanted me to listen to music outside my comfort zone<em> that badly</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter further grief for not opening my giftie music for  several weeks (<del>ungrateful</del> busy wench that I am), I honored Bri and his post-1987 music on Day 284.  At 9:30 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd it nearly put me to sleep.  (Sorry, Bri.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor whatever reason (and please remember that I was pretty beat), the music didn’t resonate with me.  I didn’t feel any musical chemistry.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt’s kind of like dating – the chemistry is either there or it’s not.  It’s often impossible to pinpoint <em>why</em> it’s not there.  Especially when your head tells you that <em>should </em>feel it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile listening to Elliott Smith, I emailed another Bri and asked, “Is Elliott Smith the guy you suggest that I listen to a few years ago?”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHis reply, “Yep.  Very Beatles influenced.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHmmm… I respectfully disagree.  (Sorry, other Bri.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nJust then, and just after feeling thoroughly depressed by Elliott Smith’s music (including a track ironically titled “ Happiness“), the next piece captured my attention with a funky groove.  Now THIS was more like it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAround 10 seconds in, it took a 70s turn (Now this REALLY WAS more like it!) and started to sound familiar and semi-cheesy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI scrambled to return to my iTunes window to check it out, and it was not Elliott Smith, but the theme song to <a href=\"http://www.tv.com/barney-miller/show/345/summary.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Barney Miller</strong></a>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(It was from my teaching days.  Music teachers rack up an eclectic mix of music, including <em>TV Land Presents: Favorite TV Theme Songs</em>.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI couldn\'t stop laughing.  Barney Miller?!?!?  I was alone in my kitchen laughing hysterically at 10:00 p.m.  (Sorry, both Bri guys.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI didn\'t fall  in love with Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith.  Even though the Bris #1 &amp; #2 told me that I <em>should</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am perfectly content dancing to my own musical drum until the right musical fit(s) come along.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSorry, guys.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 284:  Listening to \"More Recent\" (and I use that phrase loosely) Music','','inherit','open','open','','6493-revision-11','','','2011-07-11 19:31:54','2011-07-12 02:31:54','',6493,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/11/6493-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(6542,1,'2011-07-11 19:32:00','2011-07-12 02:32:00','[caption id=\"attachment_6539\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"239\" caption=\"My favorite album from 1987\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/gm.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6539\" title=\"gm\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/gm.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"239\" height=\"239\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nA funny thing happened as Day 284 drew to a close.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt 9:15 p.m., as I was finishing writing a blog post, I realized that...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>I FORGOT TO LIVE MY BLOG ACTIVITY OF THE DAY!!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis had never happened previously.  Sure, sometimes I don\'t get around to my day\'s activity -- such as <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>carving a pumpkin</strong></a> or <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/03/day-276-printer-installation-hell/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>installing a printer</strong> </a>-- until late at night.  But I\'ve never entirely FORGOTTEN!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen it dawned on me what I had done (or not done), I stood in the middle of the kitchen in a frozen panic.  When I could move again, I ran to my old school Franklin Covey planner to look up what I had spaced.  Would I even be able to \"live\" my activity, or was I going to have to think of a last minute substitution?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd how soul-scintillating could an 11th hour substitution possibly be???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe entry in my planner was \" \'Newer\' music via Bri\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew!  I can do this!  I can listen to \"newer\" music per Bri\'s suggestion/request/double dog dare!  I\'d rather go to bed (because I am bloody exhausted) but I CAN DO THIS!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe joke behind this activity is that I\'m often teased about being stuck in music that dates no later than 1987.  After high school, I seemingly lost touch with the new stuff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere are a few exceptions such as <a href=\"http://www.dianakrall.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Diana Krall</strong> </a>(who sings old stuff) and <a href=\"http://www.raylamontagne.com/us/home\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Ray LaMontagne</strong> </a>(who sings new stuff that sounds like old  stuff).  Oh, and there was Alannis in the early 90s, and LIVE in the late 90s, and Keith Urban in the early millennium, but my point is that IN GENERAL, I most enjoy music from my youth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd male music lovers loooooooove to tease me about this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBri is no exception.  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/21/day-266-trip-down-memory-corner/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>When we visited Stinkweeds Music a few weeks prior</strong></a>, Bri <em>insisted</em> on buying me Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith CDs. He wanted me to listen to music outside my comfort zone<em> that badly</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter further grief for not opening my giftie music for  several weeks (<del>ungrateful</del> busy wench that I am), I honored Bri and his post-1987 music on Day 284.  At 9:30 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd it nearly put me to sleep.  (Sorry, Bri.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor whatever reason (and please remember that I was pretty beat), the music didn’t resonate with me.  I didn’t feel any musical chemistry.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt’s kind of like dating – the chemistry is either there or it’s not.  It’s often impossible to pinpoint <em>why</em> it’s not there.  Especially when your head tells you that <em>should </em>feel it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile listening to Elliott Smith, I emailed another Bri and asked, “Is Elliott Smith the guy you suggest that I listen to a few years ago?”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHis reply, “Yep.  Very Beatles influenced.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHmmm… I respectfully disagree.  (Sorry, other Bri.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nJust then, and just after feeling thoroughly depressed by Elliott Smith’s music (including a track ironically titled “ Happiness“), the next piece captured my attention with a funky groove.  Now THIS was more like it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAround 10 seconds in, it took a 70s turn (Now this REALLY WAS more like it!) and started to sound familiar and semi-cheesy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI scrambled to return to my iTunes window to check it out, and it was not Elliott Smith, but the theme song to <a href=\"http://www.tv.com/barney-miller/show/345/summary.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Barney Miller</strong></a>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(It was from my teaching days.  Music teachers rack up an eclectic mix of music, including <em>TV Land Presents: Favorite TV Theme Songs</em>.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI couldn\'t stop laughing.  Barney Miller?!?!?  I was alone in my kitchen laughing hysterically at 10:00 p.m.  (Sorry, both Bri guys.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI didn\'t fall  in love with Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith.  Even though the Bris #1 &amp; #2 told me that I <em>should</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am perfectly content dancing to my own musical drum until the right musical fit(s) come along.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSorry, guys.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 284:  Listening to \"More Recent\" (and I use that phrase loosely) Music','','inherit','open','open','','6493-revision-12','','','2011-07-11 19:32:00','2011-07-12 02:32:00','',6493,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/11/6493-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(6543,1,'2011-07-11 19:34:39','2011-07-12 02:34:39','[caption id=\"attachment_6539\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"239\" caption=\"My favorite album from 1987\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/gm.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6539\" title=\"gm\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/gm.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"239\" height=\"239\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nA funny thing happened as Day 284 drew to a close.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt 9:15 p.m., as I was finishing writing a blog post, I realized that...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>I FORGOT TO LIVE MY BLOG ACTIVITY OF THE DAY!!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis had never happened previously.  Sure, sometimes I don\'t get around to my day\'s activity -- such as <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>carving a pumpkin</strong></a> or <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/03/day-276-printer-installation-hell/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>installing a printer</strong> </a>-- until late at night.  But I\'ve never entirely FORGOTTEN!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen it dawned on me what I had done (or not done), I stood in the middle of the kitchen in a frozen panic.  When I could move again, I ran to my old school Franklin Covey planner to look up what I had spaced.  Would I even be able to \"live\" my activity, or was I going to have to think of a last minute substitution?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd how soul-scintillating could an 11th hour substitution possibly be???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe entry in my planner was \" \'Newer\' music via Bri\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew!  I can do this!  I can listen to \"newer\" music per Bri\'s suggestion/request/double dog dare!  I\'d rather go to bed (because I am bloody exhausted) but I CAN DO THIS!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>The joke behind this activity is that I\'m often teased about being stuck in music that dates no later than 1987.  After high school, I seemingly lost touch with the new stuff.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere are a few exceptions such as <a href=\"http://www.dianakrall.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Diana Krall</strong> </a>(who sings old stuff) and <a href=\"http://www.raylamontagne.com/us/home\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Ray LaMontagne</strong> </a>(who sings new stuff that sounds like old  stuff).  Oh, and there was Alannis in the early 90s, and LIVE in the late 90s, and Keith Urban in the early millennium, but my point is that IN GENERAL, I most enjoy music from my youth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd male music lovers loooooooove to tease me about this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBri is no exception.  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/21/day-266-trip-down-memory-corner/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>When we visited Stinkweeds Music a few weeks prior</strong></a>, Bri <em>insisted</em> on buying me Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith CDs. He wanted me to listen to music outside my comfort zone<em> that badly</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter further grief for not opening my giftie music for  several weeks (<del>ungrateful</del> busy wench that I am), I honored Bri and his post-1987 music on Day 284.  At 9:30 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd it nearly put me to sleep.  (Sorry, Bri.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor whatever reason (and please remember that I was pretty beat), the music didn’t resonate with me.  I didn’t feel any musical chemistry.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>It’s kind of like dating – the chemistry is either there or it’s not.  It’s often impossible to pinpoint <em>why</em> it’s not there.  Especially when your head tells you that <em>should </em>feel it. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile listening to Elliott Smith, I emailed another Bri and asked, “Is Elliott Smith the guy you suggest that I listen to a few years ago?”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHis reply, “Yep.  Very Beatles influenced.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHmmm… I respectfully disagree.  (Sorry, other Bri.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Just then, and just after feeling thoroughly depressed by Elliott Smith’s music (including a track ironically titled “ Happiness“), the next piece captured my attention with a funky groove.  Now THIS was more like it. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAround 10 seconds in, it took a 70s turn (Now this REALLY WAS more like it!) and started to sound familiar and semi-cheesy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI scrambled to return to my iTunes window to check it out, and it was not Elliott Smith, but the theme song to <a href=\"http://www.tv.com/barney-miller/show/345/summary.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Barney Miller</strong></a>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(It was from my teaching days.  Music teachers rack up an eclectic mix of music, including <em>TV Land Presents: Favorite TV Theme Songs</em>.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI couldn\'t stop laughing.  Barney Miller?!?!?  I was alone in my kitchen laughing hysterically at 10:00 p.m.  (Sorry, both Bri guys.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI didn\'t fall  in love with Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith.  Even though the Bris #1 &amp; #2 told me that I <em>should</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am perfectly content dancing to my own musical drum until the right musical fit(s) come along.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSorry, guys.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 284:  Listening to \"More Recent\" (and I use that phrase loosely) Music','','inherit','open','open','','6493-revision-13','','','2011-07-11 19:34:39','2011-07-12 02:34:39','',6493,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/11/6493-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(6544,1,'2011-07-11 19:34:46','2011-07-12 02:34:46','[caption id=\"attachment_6539\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"239\" caption=\"My favorite album from 1987\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/gm.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6539\" title=\"gm\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/gm.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"239\" height=\"239\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nA funny thing happened as Day 284 drew to a close.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt 9:15 p.m., as I was finishing writing a blog post, I realized that...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>I FORGOT TO LIVE MY BLOG ACTIVITY OF THE DAY!!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis had never happened previously.  Sure, sometimes I don\'t get around to my day\'s activity -- such as <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>carving a pumpkin</strong></a> or <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/03/day-276-printer-installation-hell/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>installing a printer</strong> </a>-- until late at night.  But I\'ve never entirely FORGOTTEN!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen it dawned on me what I had done (or not done), I stood in the middle of the kitchen in a frozen panic.  When I could move again, I ran to my old school Franklin Covey planner to look up what I had spaced.  Would I even be able to \"live\" my activity, or was I going to have to think of a last minute substitution?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd how soul-scintillating could an 11th hour substitution possibly be???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe entry in my planner was \" \'Newer\' music via Bri\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew!  I can do this!  I can listen to \"newer\" music per Bri\'s suggestion/request/double dog dare!  I\'d rather go to bed (because I am bloody exhausted) but I CAN DO THIS!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>The joke behind this activity is that I\'m often teased about being stuck in music that dates no later than 1987.  After high school, I seemingly lost touch with the new stuff.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere are a few exceptions such as <a href=\"http://www.dianakrall.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Diana Krall</strong> </a>(who sings old stuff) and <a href=\"http://www.raylamontagne.com/us/home\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Ray LaMontagne</strong> </a>(who sings new stuff that sounds like old  stuff).  Oh, and there was Alannis in the early 90s, and LIVE in the late 90s, and Keith Urban in the early millennium, but my point is that IN GENERAL, I most enjoy music from my youth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd male music lovers loooooooove to tease me about this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBri is no exception.  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/21/day-266-trip-down-memory-corner/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>When we visited Stinkweeds Music a few weeks prior</strong></a>, Bri <em>insisted</em> on buying me Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith CDs. He wanted me to listen to music outside my comfort zone<em> that badly</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter further grief for not opening my giftie music for  several weeks (<del>ungrateful</del> busy wench that I am), I honored Bri and his post-1987 music on Day 284.  At 9:30 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd it nearly put me to sleep.  (Sorry, Bri.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor whatever reason (and please remember that I was pretty beat), the music didn’t resonate with me.  I didn’t feel any musical chemistry.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>It’s kind of like dating – the chemistry is either there or it’s not.  It’s often impossible to pinpoint <em>why</em> it’s not there.  Especially when your head tells you that <em>should </em>feel it. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile listening to Elliott Smith, I emailed another Bri and asked, “Is Elliott Smith the guy you suggest that I listen to a few years ago?”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHis reply, “Yep.  Very Beatles influenced.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHmmm… I respectfully disagree.  (Sorry, other Bri.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Just then, and just after feeling thoroughly depressed by Elliott Smith’s music (including a track ironically titled “ Happiness“), the next piece captured my attention with a funky groove.  Now THIS was more like it. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAround 10 seconds in, it took a 70s turn (Now this REALLY WAS more like it!) and started to sound familiar and semi-cheesy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI scrambled to return to my iTunes window to check it out, and it was not Elliott Smith, but the theme song to <a href=\"http://www.tv.com/barney-miller/show/345/summary.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Barney Miller</strong></a>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(It was from my teaching days.  Music teachers rack up an eclectic mix of music, including <em>TV Land Presents: Favorite TV Theme Songs</em>.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI couldn\'t stop laughing.  Barney Miller?!?!?  I was alone in my kitchen laughing hysterically at 10:00 p.m.  (Sorry, both Bri guys.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI didn\'t fall  in love with Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith.  Even though the Bris #1 &amp; #2 told me that I <em>should</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am perfectly content dancing to my own musical drum until the right musical fit(s) come along.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSorry, guys.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 284:  Listening to \"More Recent\" (and I use that phrase loosely) Music','','inherit','open','open','','6493-revision-14','','','2011-07-11 19:34:46','2011-07-12 02:34:46','',6493,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/11/6493-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(6545,1,'2011-07-11 19:36:54','2011-07-12 02:36:54','[caption id=\"attachment_6539\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"239\" caption=\"My favorite album from 1987\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/gm.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6539\" title=\"gm\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/gm.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"239\" height=\"239\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nA funny thing happened as Day 284 drew to a close.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt 9:15 p.m., as I was finishing writing a blog post, I realized that...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>I FORGOT TO LIVE MY BLOG ACTIVITY OF THE DAY!!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis had never happened previously.  Sure, sometimes I don\'t get around to my day\'s activity -- such as <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>carving a pumpkin</strong></a> or <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/03/day-276-printer-installation-hell/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>installing a printer</strong> </a>-- until late at night.  But I\'ve never entirely FORGOTTEN!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen it dawned on me what I had done (or not done), I stood in the middle of the kitchen in a frozen panic.  When I could move again, I ran to my old school Franklin Covey planner to look up what I had spaced.  Would I even be able to \"live\" my activity, or was I going to have to think of a last minute substitution?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd how soul-scintillating could an 11th hour substitution possibly be???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe entry in my planner was \" \'Newer\' music via Bri\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew!  I can do this!  I can listen to \"newer\" music per Bri\'s suggestion/request/double dog dare!  I\'d rather go to bed (because I am bloody exhausted) but I CAN DO THIS!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>The joke behind this activity is that I\'m often teased about being stuck in music that dates no later than 1987.  After high school, I seemingly lost touch with the new stuff.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere are a few exceptions such as <a href=\"http://www.dianakrall.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Diana Krall</strong> </a>(who sings old stuff) and <a href=\"http://www.raylamontagne.com/us/home\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Ray LaMontagne</strong> </a>(who sings new stuff that sounds like old  stuff).  Oh, and there was Alannis in the early 90s, and LIVE in the late 90s, and Keith Urban in the early millennium, but my point is that IN GENERAL, I most enjoy music from my youth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd male music lovers loooooooove to tease me about this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBri is no exception.  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/21/day-266-trip-down-memory-corner/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>When we visited Stinkweeds Music a few weeks prior</strong></a>, Bri <em>insisted</em> on buying me Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith CDs. He wanted me to listen to music outside my comfort zone<em> that badly</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter further grief for not opening my giftie music for  several weeks (<del>ungrateful</del> busy wench that I am), I honored Bri and his post-1987 music on Day 284.  At 9:30 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd it nearly put me to sleep.  (Sorry, Bri.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor whatever reason (and please remember that I was pretty beat), the music didn’t resonate with me.  I didn’t feel any musical chemistry.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>It’s kind of like dating – the chemistry is either there or it’s not.  It’s often impossible to pinpoint <em>why</em> it’s not there.  Especially when your head tells you that <em>should </em>feel it. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile listening to Elliott Smith, I emailed another Bri and asked, “Is Elliott Smith the guy you suggest that I listen to a few years ago?”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHis reply, “Yep.  Very Beatles influenced.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHmmm… I respectfully disagree.  (Sorry, other Bri.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Just then, and just after feeling thoroughly depressed by Elliott Smith’s music (including a track ironically titled “ Happiness“), the next piece captured my attention with a funky groove.  Now THIS was more like it. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAround 10 seconds in, it took a 70s turn (Now this REALLY WAS more like it!) and started to sound familiar and semi-cheesy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI scrambled to return to my iTunes window to check it out, and it was not Elliott Smith, but the theme song to <a href=\"http://www.tv.com/barney-miller/show/345/summary.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Barney Miller</strong></a>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(It was from my teaching days.  Music teachers rack up an eclectic mix of music, including <em>TV Land Presents: Favorite TV Theme Songs</em>.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI couldn\'t stop laughing.  Barney Miller?!?!?  I was alone in my kitchen laughing hysterically at 10:00 p.m.  (Sorry, both Bri guys.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI didn\'t fall  in love with Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith.  Even though the Bris #1 &amp; #2 told me that I <em>should</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am perfectly content dancing to my own musical drum until the right musical fit(s) come along.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 284:  Listening to \"More Recent\" (and I use that phrase loosely) Music','','inherit','open','open','','6493-revision-15','','','2011-07-11 19:36:54','2011-07-12 02:36:54','',6493,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/11/6493-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(6546,1,'2011-07-11 19:51:15','2011-07-12 02:51:15','[caption id=\"attachment_6539\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"239\" caption=\"My favorite album of 1987\"]<a href=\"http://www.georgemichael.com/music/discography/cd/GeorgeAlbums_Details.aspx?cat=GeorgeAlbums&amp;albumId=2a243486-f346-4fac-9f77-16cefc8fab3a\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6539  \" title=\"gm\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/gm.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"239\" height=\"239\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nA funny thing happened as Day 284 drew to a close.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt 9:15 p.m., as I was finishing writing a blog post, I realized that...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>I FORGOT TO LIVE MY BLOG ACTIVITY OF THE DAY!!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis had never happened previously.  Sure, sometimes I don\'t get around to my day\'s activity -- such as <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>carving a pumpkin</strong></a> or <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/03/day-276-printer-installation-hell/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>installing a printer</strong> </a>-- until late at night.  But I\'ve never entirely FORGOTTEN!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen it dawned on me what I had done (or not done), I stood in the middle of the kitchen in a frozen panic.  When I could move again, I ran to my old school Franklin Covey planner to look up what I had spaced.  Would I even be able to \"live\" my activity, or was I going to have to think of a last minute substitution?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd how soul-scintillating could an 11th hour substitution possibly be???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe entry in my planner was \" \'Newer\' music via Bri\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew!  I can do this!  I can listen to \"newer\" music per Bri\'s suggestion/request/double dog dare!  I\'d rather go to bed (because I am bloody exhausted) but I CAN DO THIS!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>The joke behind this activity is that I\'m often teased about being stuck in music that dates no later than 1987.  After high school, I seemingly lost touch with the new stuff.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere are a few exceptions such as <a href=\"http://www.dianakrall.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Diana Krall</strong> </a>(who sings old stuff) and <a href=\"http://www.raylamontagne.com/us/home\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Ray LaMontagne</strong> </a>(who sings new stuff that sounds like old  stuff).  Oh, and there was Alannis in the early 90s, and LIVE in the late 90s, and Keith Urban in the early millennium, but my point is that IN GENERAL, I most enjoy music from my youth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd male music lovers loooooooove to tease me about this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBri is no exception.  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/21/day-266-trip-down-memory-corner/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>When we visited Stinkweeds Music a few weeks prior</strong></a>, Bri <em>insisted</em> on buying me Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith CDs. He wanted me to listen to music outside my comfort zone<em> that badly</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter further grief for not opening my giftie music for  several weeks (<del>ungrateful</del> busy wench that I am), I honored Bri and his post-1987 music on Day 284.  At 9:30 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd it nearly put me to sleep.  (Sorry, Bri.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor whatever reason (and please remember that I was pretty beat), the music didn’t resonate with me.  I didn’t feel any musical chemistry.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>It’s kind of like dating – the chemistry is either there or it’s not.  It’s often impossible to pinpoint <em>why</em> it’s not there.  Especially when your head tells you that you <em>should </em>feel it. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile listening to Elliott Smith, I emailed another Bri and asked, “Is Elliott Smith the guy you suggested that I listen to a few years ago?”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHe replied, “Yep.  Very Beatles influenced.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHmmm… I respectfully disagree.  (Sorry, other Bri.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Just then, and just after feeling thoroughly depressed by Elliott Smith’s music (including a track ironically titled “Happiness“), the next piece captured my attention with a funky groove.  Now THIS was more like it. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAround 10 seconds in, it took a 70s turn (Now this REALLY WAS more like it!) and started to sound familiar and semi-cheesy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI scrambled to return to my iTunes window to check it out, and it was not Elliott Smith, but the theme song to <a href=\"http://www.tv.com/barney-miller/show/345/summary.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Barney Miller</strong></a>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(It was from my teaching days.  Music teachers rack up an eclectic mix of music, including <em>TV Land Presents: Favorite TV Theme Songs</em>.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI couldn\'t stop laughing.  Barney Miller?!?!?  I was alone in my kitchen laughing hysterically at 10:00 p.m.  (Sorry, both Bri guys.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI didn\'t fall  in love with Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith.  Even though the Bris #1 &amp; #2 told me that I <em>should</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am perfectly content dancing to my own musical drum until the right musical fit(s) come along.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat music rocks your world?  Share in the comments section below.','Day 284:  Listening to \"More Recent\" (and I use that phrase loosely) Music','','inherit','open','open','','6493-autosave','','','2011-07-11 19:51:15','2011-07-12 02:51:15','',6493,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/11/6493-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(6547,1,'2011-07-11 19:38:08','2011-07-12 02:38:08','[caption id=\"attachment_6539\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"239\" caption=\"My favorite album from 1987\"]<a href=\"http://www.georgemichael.com/music/discography/cd/GeorgeAlbums_Details.aspx?cat=GeorgeAlbums&amp;albumId=2a243486-f346-4fac-9f77-16cefc8fab3a\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6539 \" title=\"gm\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/gm.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"239\" height=\"239\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nA funny thing happened as Day 284 drew to a close.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt 9:15 p.m., as I was finishing writing a blog post, I realized that...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>I FORGOT TO LIVE MY BLOG ACTIVITY OF THE DAY!!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis had never happened previously.  Sure, sometimes I don\'t get around to my day\'s activity -- such as <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>carving a pumpkin</strong></a> or <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/03/day-276-printer-installation-hell/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>installing a printer</strong> </a>-- until late at night.  But I\'ve never entirely FORGOTTEN!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen it dawned on me what I had done (or not done), I stood in the middle of the kitchen in a frozen panic.  When I could move again, I ran to my old school Franklin Covey planner to look up what I had spaced.  Would I even be able to \"live\" my activity, or was I going to have to think of a last minute substitution?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd how soul-scintillating could an 11th hour substitution possibly be???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe entry in my planner was \" \'Newer\' music via Bri\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew!  I can do this!  I can listen to \"newer\" music per Bri\'s suggestion/request/double dog dare!  I\'d rather go to bed (because I am bloody exhausted) but I CAN DO THIS!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>The joke behind this activity is that I\'m often teased about being stuck in music that dates no later than 1987.  After high school, I seemingly lost touch with the new stuff.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere are a few exceptions such as <a href=\"http://www.dianakrall.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Diana Krall</strong> </a>(who sings old stuff) and <a href=\"http://www.raylamontagne.com/us/home\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Ray LaMontagne</strong> </a>(who sings new stuff that sounds like old  stuff).  Oh, and there was Alannis in the early 90s, and LIVE in the late 90s, and Keith Urban in the early millennium, but my point is that IN GENERAL, I most enjoy music from my youth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd male music lovers loooooooove to tease me about this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBri is no exception.  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/21/day-266-trip-down-memory-corner/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>When we visited Stinkweeds Music a few weeks prior</strong></a>, Bri <em>insisted</em> on buying me Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith CDs. He wanted me to listen to music outside my comfort zone<em> that badly</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter further grief for not opening my giftie music for  several weeks (<del>ungrateful</del> busy wench that I am), I honored Bri and his post-1987 music on Day 284.  At 9:30 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd it nearly put me to sleep.  (Sorry, Bri.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor whatever reason (and please remember that I was pretty beat), the music didn’t resonate with me.  I didn’t feel any musical chemistry.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>It’s kind of like dating – the chemistry is either there or it’s not.  It’s often impossible to pinpoint <em>why</em> it’s not there.  Especially when your head tells you that <em>should </em>feel it. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile listening to Elliott Smith, I emailed another Bri and asked, “Is Elliott Smith the guy you suggest that I listen to a few years ago?”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHis reply, “Yep.  Very Beatles influenced.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHmmm… I respectfully disagree.  (Sorry, other Bri.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Just then, and just after feeling thoroughly depressed by Elliott Smith’s music (including a track ironically titled “ Happiness“), the next piece captured my attention with a funky groove.  Now THIS was more like it. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAround 10 seconds in, it took a 70s turn (Now this REALLY WAS more like it!) and started to sound familiar and semi-cheesy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI scrambled to return to my iTunes window to check it out, and it was not Elliott Smith, but the theme song to <a href=\"http://www.tv.com/barney-miller/show/345/summary.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Barney Miller</strong></a>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(It was from my teaching days.  Music teachers rack up an eclectic mix of music, including <em>TV Land Presents: Favorite TV Theme Songs</em>.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI couldn\'t stop laughing.  Barney Miller?!?!?  I was alone in my kitchen laughing hysterically at 10:00 p.m.  (Sorry, both Bri guys.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI didn\'t fall  in love with Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith.  Even though the Bris #1 &amp; #2 told me that I <em>should</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am perfectly content dancing to my own musical drum until the right musical fit(s) come along.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 284:  Listening to \"More Recent\" (and I use that phrase loosely) Music','','inherit','open','open','','6493-revision-16','','','2011-07-11 19:38:08','2011-07-12 02:38:08','',6493,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/11/6493-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(6548,1,'2011-07-11 19:40:48','2011-07-12 02:40:48','[caption id=\"attachment_6539\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"239\" caption=\"My favorite album from 1987\"]<a href=\"http://www.georgemichael.com/music/discography/cd/GeorgeAlbums_Details.aspx?cat=GeorgeAlbums&amp;albumId=2a243486-f346-4fac-9f77-16cefc8fab3a\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6539 \" title=\"gm\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/gm.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"239\" height=\"239\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nA funny thing happened as Day 284 drew to a close.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt 9:15 p.m., as I was finishing writing a blog post, I realized that...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>I FORGOT TO LIVE MY BLOG ACTIVITY OF THE DAY!!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis had never happened previously.  Sure, sometimes I don\'t get around to my day\'s activity -- such as <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>carving a pumpkin</strong></a> or <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/03/day-276-printer-installation-hell/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>installing a printer</strong> </a>-- until late at night.  But I\'ve never entirely FORGOTTEN!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen it dawned on me what I had done (or not done), I stood in the middle of the kitchen in a frozen panic.  When I could move again, I ran to my old school Franklin Covey planner to look up what I had spaced.  Would I even be able to \"live\" my activity, or was I going to have to think of a last minute substitution?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd how soul-scintillating could an 11th hour substitution possibly be???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe entry in my planner was \" \'Newer\' music via Bri\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew!  I can do this!  I can listen to \"newer\" music per Bri\'s suggestion/request/double dog dare!  I\'d rather go to bed (because I am bloody exhausted) but I CAN DO THIS!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>The joke behind this activity is that I\'m often teased about being stuck in music that dates no later than 1987.  After high school, I seemingly lost touch with the new stuff.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere are a few exceptions such as <a href=\"http://www.dianakrall.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Diana Krall</strong> </a>(who sings old stuff) and <a href=\"http://www.raylamontagne.com/us/home\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Ray LaMontagne</strong> </a>(who sings new stuff that sounds like old  stuff).  Oh, and there was Alannis in the early 90s, and LIVE in the late 90s, and Keith Urban in the early millennium, but my point is that IN GENERAL, I most enjoy music from my youth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd male music lovers loooooooove to tease me about this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBri is no exception.  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/21/day-266-trip-down-memory-corner/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>When we visited Stinkweeds Music a few weeks prior</strong></a>, Bri <em>insisted</em> on buying me Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith CDs. He wanted me to listen to music outside my comfort zone<em> that badly</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter further grief for not opening my giftie music for  several weeks (<del>ungrateful</del> busy wench that I am), I honored Bri and his post-1987 music on Day 284.  At 9:30 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd it nearly put me to sleep.  (Sorry, Bri.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor whatever reason (and please remember that I was pretty beat), the music didn’t resonate with me.  I didn’t feel any musical chemistry.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>It’s kind of like dating – the chemistry is either there or it’s not.  It’s often impossible to pinpoint <em>why</em> it’s not there.  Especially when your head tells you that you <em>should </em>feel it. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile listening to Elliott Smith, I emailed another Bri and asked, “Is Elliott Smith the guy you suggest that I listen to a few years ago?”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHis reply, “Yep.  Very Beatles influenced.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHmmm… I respectfully disagree.  (Sorry, other Bri.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Just then, and just after feeling thoroughly depressed by Elliott Smith’s music (including a track ironically titled “Happiness“), the next piece captured my attention with a funky groove.  Now THIS was more like it. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAround 10 seconds in, it took a 70s turn (Now this REALLY WAS more like it!) and started to sound familiar and semi-cheesy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI scrambled to return to my iTunes window to check it out, and it was not Elliott Smith, but the theme song to <a href=\"http://www.tv.com/barney-miller/show/345/summary.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Barney Miller</strong></a>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(It was from my teaching days.  Music teachers rack up an eclectic mix of music, including <em>TV Land Presents: Favorite TV Theme Songs</em>.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI couldn\'t stop laughing.  Barney Miller?!?!?  I was alone in my kitchen laughing hysterically at 10:00 p.m.  (Sorry, both Bri guys.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI didn\'t fall  in love with Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith.  Even though the Bris #1 &amp; #2 told me that I <em>should</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am perfectly content dancing to my own musical drum until the right musical fit(s) come along.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 284:  Listening to \"More Recent\" (and I use that phrase loosely) Music','','inherit','open','open','','6493-revision-17','','','2011-07-11 19:40:48','2011-07-12 02:40:48','',6493,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/11/6493-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(6549,1,'2011-07-11 19:42:30','2011-07-12 02:42:30','[caption id=\"attachment_6539\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"239\" caption=\"My favorite album from 1987\"]<a href=\"http://www.georgemichael.com/music/discography/cd/GeorgeAlbums_Details.aspx?cat=GeorgeAlbums&amp;albumId=2a243486-f346-4fac-9f77-16cefc8fab3a\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6539 \" title=\"gm\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/gm.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"239\" height=\"239\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nA funny thing happened as Day 284 drew to a close.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt 9:15 p.m., as I was finishing writing a blog post, I realized that...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>I FORGOT TO LIVE MY BLOG ACTIVITY OF THE DAY!!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis had never happened previously.  Sure, sometimes I don\'t get around to my day\'s activity -- such as <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>carving a pumpkin</strong></a> or <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/03/day-276-printer-installation-hell/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>installing a printer</strong> </a>-- until late at night.  But I\'ve never entirely FORGOTTEN!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen it dawned on me what I had done (or not done), I stood in the middle of the kitchen in a frozen panic.  When I could move again, I ran to my old school Franklin Covey planner to look up what I had spaced.  Would I even be able to \"live\" my activity, or was I going to have to think of a last minute substitution?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd how soul-scintillating could an 11th hour substitution possibly be???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe entry in my planner was \" \'Newer\' music via Bri\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew!  I can do this!  I can listen to \"newer\" music per Bri\'s suggestion/request/double dog dare!  I\'d rather go to bed (because I am bloody exhausted) but I CAN DO THIS!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>The joke behind this activity is that I\'m often teased about being stuck in music that dates no later than 1987.  After high school, I seemingly lost touch with the new stuff.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere are a few exceptions such as <a href=\"http://www.dianakrall.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Diana Krall</strong> </a>(who sings old stuff) and <a href=\"http://www.raylamontagne.com/us/home\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Ray LaMontagne</strong> </a>(who sings new stuff that sounds like old  stuff).  Oh, and there was Alannis in the early 90s, and LIVE in the late 90s, and Keith Urban in the early millennium, but my point is that IN GENERAL, I most enjoy music from my youth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd male music lovers loooooooove to tease me about this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBri is no exception.  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/21/day-266-trip-down-memory-corner/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>When we visited Stinkweeds Music a few weeks prior</strong></a>, Bri <em>insisted</em> on buying me Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith CDs. He wanted me to listen to music outside my comfort zone<em> that badly</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter further grief for not opening my giftie music for  several weeks (<del>ungrateful</del> busy wench that I am), I honored Bri and his post-1987 music on Day 284.  At 9:30 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd it nearly put me to sleep.  (Sorry, Bri.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor whatever reason (and please remember that I was pretty beat), the music didn’t resonate with me.  I didn’t feel any musical chemistry.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>It’s kind of like dating – the chemistry is either there or it’s not.  It’s often impossible to pinpoint <em>why</em> it’s not there.  Especially when your head tells you that you <em>should </em>feel it. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile listening to Elliott Smith, I emailed another Bri and asked, “Is Elliott Smith the guy you suggested that I listen to a few years ago?”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHis reply, “Yep.  Very Beatles influenced.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHmmm… I respectfully disagree.  (Sorry, other Bri.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Just then, and just after feeling thoroughly depressed by Elliott Smith’s music (including a track ironically titled “Happiness“), the next piece captured my attention with a funky groove.  Now THIS was more like it. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAround 10 seconds in, it took a 70s turn (Now this REALLY WAS more like it!) and started to sound familiar and semi-cheesy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI scrambled to return to my iTunes window to check it out, and it was not Elliott Smith, but the theme song to <a href=\"http://www.tv.com/barney-miller/show/345/summary.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Barney Miller</strong></a>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(It was from my teaching days.  Music teachers rack up an eclectic mix of music, including <em>TV Land Presents: Favorite TV Theme Songs</em>.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI couldn\'t stop laughing.  Barney Miller?!?!?  I was alone in my kitchen laughing hysterically at 10:00 p.m.  (Sorry, both Bri guys.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI didn\'t fall  in love with Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith.  Even though the Bris #1 &amp; #2 told me that I <em>should</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am perfectly content dancing to my own musical drum until the right musical fit(s) come along.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 284:  Listening to \"More Recent\" (and I use that phrase loosely) Music','','inherit','open','open','','6493-revision-18','','','2011-07-11 19:42:30','2011-07-12 02:42:30','',6493,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/11/6493-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(6550,1,'2011-07-11 19:43:18','2011-07-12 02:43:18','[caption id=\"attachment_6539\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"239\" caption=\"My favorite album from 1987\"]<a href=\"http://www.georgemichael.com/music/discography/cd/GeorgeAlbums_Details.aspx?cat=GeorgeAlbums&amp;albumId=2a243486-f346-4fac-9f77-16cefc8fab3a\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6539 \" title=\"gm\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/gm.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"239\" height=\"239\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nA funny thing happened as Day 284 drew to a close.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt 9:15 p.m., as I was finishing writing a blog post, I realized that...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>I FORGOT TO LIVE MY BLOG ACTIVITY OF THE DAY!!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis had never happened previously.  Sure, sometimes I don\'t get around to my day\'s activity -- such as <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>carving a pumpkin</strong></a> or <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/03/day-276-printer-installation-hell/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>installing a printer</strong> </a>-- until late at night.  But I\'ve never entirely FORGOTTEN!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen it dawned on me what I had done (or not done), I stood in the middle of the kitchen in a frozen panic.  When I could move again, I ran to my old school Franklin Covey planner to look up what I had spaced.  Would I even be able to \"live\" my activity, or was I going to have to think of a last minute substitution?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd how soul-scintillating could an 11th hour substitution possibly be???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe entry in my planner was \" \'Newer\' music via Bri\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew!  I can do this!  I can listen to \"newer\" music per Bri\'s suggestion/request/double dog dare!  I\'d rather go to bed (because I am bloody exhausted) but I CAN DO THIS!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>The joke behind this activity is that I\'m often teased about being stuck in music that dates no later than 1987.  After high school, I seemingly lost touch with the new stuff.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere are a few exceptions such as <a href=\"http://www.dianakrall.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Diana Krall</strong> </a>(who sings old stuff) and <a href=\"http://www.raylamontagne.com/us/home\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Ray LaMontagne</strong> </a>(who sings new stuff that sounds like old  stuff).  Oh, and there was Alannis in the early 90s, and LIVE in the late 90s, and Keith Urban in the early millennium, but my point is that IN GENERAL, I most enjoy music from my youth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd male music lovers loooooooove to tease me about this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBri is no exception.  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/21/day-266-trip-down-memory-corner/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>When we visited Stinkweeds Music a few weeks prior</strong></a>, Bri <em>insisted</em> on buying me Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith CDs. He wanted me to listen to music outside my comfort zone<em> that badly</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter further grief for not opening my giftie music for  several weeks (<del>ungrateful</del> busy wench that I am), I honored Bri and his post-1987 music on Day 284.  At 9:30 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd it nearly put me to sleep.  (Sorry, Bri.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor whatever reason (and please remember that I was pretty beat), the music didn’t resonate with me.  I didn’t feel any musical chemistry.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>It’s kind of like dating – the chemistry is either there or it’s not.  It’s often impossible to pinpoint <em>why</em> it’s not there.  Especially when your head tells you that you <em>should </em>feel it. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile listening to Elliott Smith, I emailed another Bri and asked, “Is Elliott Smith the guy you suggested that I listen to a few years ago?”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHe replied, “Yep.  Very Beatles influenced.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHmmm… I respectfully disagree.  (Sorry, other Bri.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Just then, and just after feeling thoroughly depressed by Elliott Smith’s music (including a track ironically titled “Happiness“), the next piece captured my attention with a funky groove.  Now THIS was more like it. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAround 10 seconds in, it took a 70s turn (Now this REALLY WAS more like it!) and started to sound familiar and semi-cheesy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI scrambled to return to my iTunes window to check it out, and it was not Elliott Smith, but the theme song to <a href=\"http://www.tv.com/barney-miller/show/345/summary.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Barney Miller</strong></a>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(It was from my teaching days.  Music teachers rack up an eclectic mix of music, including <em>TV Land Presents: Favorite TV Theme Songs</em>.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI couldn\'t stop laughing.  Barney Miller?!?!?  I was alone in my kitchen laughing hysterically at 10:00 p.m.  (Sorry, both Bri guys.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI didn\'t fall  in love with Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith.  Even though the Bris #1 &amp; #2 told me that I <em>should</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am perfectly content dancing to my own musical drum until the right musical fit(s) come along.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 284:  Listening to \"More Recent\" (and I use that phrase loosely) Music','','inherit','open','open','','6493-revision-19','','','2011-07-11 19:43:18','2011-07-12 02:43:18','',6493,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/11/6493-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(6551,1,'2011-07-11 19:44:54','2011-07-12 02:44:54','[caption id=\"attachment_6539\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"239\" caption=\"My favorite album from 1987\"]<a href=\"http://www.georgemichael.com/music/discography/cd/GeorgeAlbums_Details.aspx?cat=GeorgeAlbums&amp;albumId=2a243486-f346-4fac-9f77-16cefc8fab3a\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6539 \" title=\"gm\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/gm.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"239\" height=\"239\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nA funny thing happened as Day 284 drew to a close.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt 9:15 p.m., as I was finishing writing a blog post, I realized that...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>I FORGOT TO LIVE MY BLOG ACTIVITY OF THE DAY!!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis had never happened previously.  Sure, sometimes I don\'t get around to my day\'s activity -- such as <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>carving a pumpkin</strong></a> or <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/03/day-276-printer-installation-hell/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>installing a printer</strong> </a>-- until late at night.  But I\'ve never entirely FORGOTTEN!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen it dawned on me what I had done (or not done), I stood in the middle of the kitchen in a frozen panic.  When I could move again, I ran to my old school Franklin Covey planner to look up what I had spaced.  Would I even be able to \"live\" my activity, or was I going to have to think of a last minute substitution?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd how soul-scintillating could an 11th hour substitution possibly be???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe entry in my planner was \" \'Newer\' music via Bri\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew!  I can do this!  I can listen to \"newer\" music per Bri\'s suggestion/request/double dog dare!  I\'d rather go to bed (because I am bloody exhausted) but I CAN DO THIS!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>The joke behind this activity is that I\'m often teased about being stuck in music that dates no later than 1987.  After high school, I seemingly lost touch with the new stuff.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere are a few exceptions such as <a href=\"http://www.dianakrall.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Diana Krall</strong> </a>(who sings old stuff) and <a href=\"http://www.raylamontagne.com/us/home\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Ray LaMontagne</strong> </a>(who sings new stuff that sounds like old  stuff).  Oh, and there was Alannis in the early 90s, and LIVE in the late 90s, and Keith Urban in the early millennium, but my point is that IN GENERAL, I most enjoy music from my youth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd male music lovers loooooooove to tease me about this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBri is no exception.  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/21/day-266-trip-down-memory-corner/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>When we visited Stinkweeds Music a few weeks prior</strong></a>, Bri <em>insisted</em> on buying me Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith CDs. He wanted me to listen to music outside my comfort zone<em> that badly</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter further grief for not opening my giftie music for  several weeks (<del>ungrateful</del> busy wench that I am), I honored Bri and his post-1987 music on Day 284.  At 9:30 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd it nearly put me to sleep.  (Sorry, Bri.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor whatever reason (and please remember that I was pretty beat), the music didn’t resonate with me.  I didn’t feel any musical chemistry.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>It’s kind of like dating – the chemistry is either there or it’s not.  It’s often impossible to pinpoint <em>why</em> it’s not there.  Especially when your head tells you that you <em>should </em>feel it. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile listening to Elliott Smith, I emailed another Bri and asked, “Is Elliott Smith the guy you suggested that I listen to a few years ago?”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHe replied, “Yep.  Very Beatles influenced.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHmmm… I respectfully disagree.  (Sorry, other Bri.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Just then, and just after feeling thoroughly depressed by Elliott Smith’s music (including a track ironically titled “Happiness“), the next piece captured my attention with a funky groove.  Now THIS was more like it. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAround 10 seconds in, it took a 70s turn (Now this REALLY WAS more like it!) and started to sound familiar and semi-cheesy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI scrambled to return to my iTunes window to check it out, and it was not Elliott Smith, but the theme song to <a href=\"http://www.tv.com/barney-miller/show/345/summary.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Barney Miller</strong></a>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(It was from my teaching days.  Music teachers rack up an eclectic mix of music, including <em>TV Land Presents: Favorite TV Theme Songs</em>.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI couldn\'t stop laughing.  Barney Miller?!?!?  I was alone in my kitchen laughing hysterically at 10:00 p.m.  (Sorry, both Bri guys.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI didn\'t fall  in love with Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith.  Even though the Bris #1 &amp; #2 told me that I <em>should</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am perfectly content dancing to my own musical drum until the right musical fit(s) come along.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs m former 1987 crush once sang, \"You gotta have Faith.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 284:  Listening to \"More Recent\" (and I use that phrase loosely) Music','','inherit','open','open','','6493-revision-20','','','2011-07-11 19:44:54','2011-07-12 02:44:54','',6493,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/11/6493-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(6552,1,'2011-07-11 19:47:40','2011-07-12 02:47:40','[caption id=\"attachment_6539\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"239\" caption=\"My favorite album from 1987\"]<a href=\"http://www.georgemichael.com/music/discography/cd/GeorgeAlbums_Details.aspx?cat=GeorgeAlbums&amp;albumId=2a243486-f346-4fac-9f77-16cefc8fab3a\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6539 \" title=\"gm\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/gm.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"239\" height=\"239\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nA funny thing happened as Day 284 drew to a close.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt 9:15 p.m., as I was finishing writing a blog post, I realized that...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>I FORGOT TO LIVE MY BLOG ACTIVITY OF THE DAY!!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis had never happened previously.  Sure, sometimes I don\'t get around to my day\'s activity -- such as <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/28/day-30-jack-o-lantern-disasters/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>carving a pumpkin</strong></a> or <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/03/day-276-printer-installation-hell/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>installing a printer</strong> </a>-- until late at night.  But I\'ve never entirely FORGOTTEN!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen it dawned on me what I had done (or not done), I stood in the middle of the kitchen in a frozen panic.  When I could move again, I ran to my old school Franklin Covey planner to look up what I had spaced.  Would I even be able to \"live\" my activity, or was I going to have to think of a last minute substitution?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd how soul-scintillating could an 11th hour substitution possibly be???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe entry in my planner was \" \'Newer\' music via Bri\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhew!  I can do this!  I can listen to \"newer\" music per Bri\'s suggestion/request/double dog dare!  I\'d rather go to bed (because I am bloody exhausted) but I CAN DO THIS!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>The joke behind this activity is that I\'m often teased about being stuck in music that dates no later than 1987.  After high school, I seemingly lost touch with the new stuff.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere are a few exceptions such as <a href=\"http://www.dianakrall.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Diana Krall</strong> </a>(who sings old stuff) and <a href=\"http://www.raylamontagne.com/us/home\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Ray LaMontagne</strong> </a>(who sings new stuff that sounds like old  stuff).  Oh, and there was Alannis in the early 90s, and LIVE in the late 90s, and Keith Urban in the early millennium, but my point is that IN GENERAL, I most enjoy music from my youth.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd male music lovers loooooooove to tease me about this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBri is no exception.  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/21/day-266-trip-down-memory-corner/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>When we visited Stinkweeds Music a few weeks prior</strong></a>, Bri <em>insisted</em> on buying me Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith CDs. He wanted me to listen to music outside my comfort zone<em> that badly</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter further grief for not opening my giftie music for  several weeks (<del>ungrateful</del> busy wench that I am), I honored Bri and his post-1987 music on Day 284.  At 9:30 p.m.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd it nearly put me to sleep.  (Sorry, Bri.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor whatever reason (and please remember that I was pretty beat), the music didn’t resonate with me.  I didn’t feel any musical chemistry.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>It’s kind of like dating – the chemistry is either there or it’s not.  It’s often impossible to pinpoint <em>why</em> it’s not there.  Especially when your head tells you that you <em>should </em>feel it. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile listening to Elliott Smith, I emailed another Bri and asked, “Is Elliott Smith the guy you suggested that I listen to a few years ago?”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHe replied, “Yep.  Very Beatles influenced.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHmmm… I respectfully disagree.  (Sorry, other Bri.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Just then, and just after feeling thoroughly depressed by Elliott Smith’s music (including a track ironically titled “Happiness“), the next piece captured my attention with a funky groove.  Now THIS was more like it. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAround 10 seconds in, it took a 70s turn (Now this REALLY WAS more like it!) and started to sound familiar and semi-cheesy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI scrambled to return to my iTunes window to check it out, and it was not Elliott Smith, but the theme song to <a href=\"http://www.tv.com/barney-miller/show/345/summary.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Barney Miller</strong></a>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(It was from my teaching days.  Music teachers rack up an eclectic mix of music, including <em>TV Land Presents: Favorite TV Theme Songs</em>.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI couldn\'t stop laughing.  Barney Miller?!?!?  I was alone in my kitchen laughing hysterically at 10:00 p.m.  (Sorry, both Bri guys.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI didn\'t fall  in love with Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith.  Even though the Bris #1 &amp; #2 told me that I <em>should</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am perfectly content dancing to my own musical drum until the right musical fit(s) come along.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat music rocks your world?  Share in the comments section below.','Day 284:  Listening to \"More Recent\" (and I use that phrase loosely) Music','','inherit','open','open','','6493-revision-21','','','2011-07-11 19:47:40','2011-07-12 02:47:40','',6493,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/11/6493-revision-21/',0,'revision','',0),(6553,1,'2011-07-12 14:10:02','2011-07-12 21:10:02','Look at what I picked up at my playdate on Day ?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDid you light sparklers as a kid?  If not, you were deprived, but fret not – there is hope.  Get thee to www.  and order some.  Your inner child is begging.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe used to play with fire sparklers every summer at the beach house when I was a child.  Since my beach house memories are my most shiny, sparkly, heartfelt memories, I am drawn to sparklers like a moth to a light.  Or timelier in my fair city these days, like a cicada to a light.  Ewww.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnywho, I’m can’t recall the last time that I saw sparklers in a store.  Have I been missing something?  I couldn’t pass them by.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil I saw that they were 15 buckaroos for the package.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhoa.  Come on, sparkler peeps.  Really?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA single woman needs only a single sparker, so I parted with the 5 bucks for ONE SPARKLER in the spirit of Carpe Diem and this blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI chose the numeral 8 (instead of “4” for the 4<sup>th</sup> of July because I recently learned that 8 is a highly auspicious number in Asian cultures, and even though I say that I’m not superstitious, I do wacky stuff like this all the time.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI didn’t realize until the cashier asked, “Is your child having an 8<sup>th</sup> birthday” that my sparkler was meant for a child’s birthday cake.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“No. Why do you … oh … yes, it’s for my inner 8 year-old.”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSince I was in a “hipster” part of town, the guy appreciated my offbeat answer and thought I was really cool for doing this.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFor 8 seconds, I reveled in my hi\n\npster street cred.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn the 8<sup>th</sup> of July, I lit Lucky 8.  With my recent discovery of the “fireworks” setting on my camera, I set the camera to “timer” and rehearsed a few practice runs.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCan you believe it?  This former point-and-shooter has now advanced to fancy settings and self-timers!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was briefly interrupted by Little Miss B crunching on yet <em>another </em>cicada (double Ewww!), but after the screeching (me), the exposing of the belly (her), and the toilet disposal (the cicada), I resumed shooting and captured this:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6531 alignnone\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7080032-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOooooo.   Ahhhhh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is one of your most magical memories from childhood?  Is there a way for you to rediscover the magic today?\n\n&nbsp;','Day 285:  Lucky 8 Sparkler','','inherit','open','open','','6495-revision-3','','','2011-07-12 14:10:02','2011-07-12 21:10:02','',6495,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/12/6495-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(6554,1,'2011-07-14 11:04:56','2011-07-14 18:04:56','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-457','','','2011-07-14 11:04:56','2011-07-14 18:04:56','',6495,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7080016.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6555,1,'2011-07-12 14:20:55','2011-07-12 21:20:55','Look at what I picked up at my playdate on Day ?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDid you light sparklers as a kid?  If not, you were deprived, but fret not – there is hope.  Get thee to www.  and order some.  Your inner child is begging.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe used to play with fire sparklers every summer at the beach house when I was a child.  Since my beach house memories are my most shiny, sparkly, heartfelt memories, I am drawn to sparklers like a moth to a light.  Or timelier in my fair city these days, like a cicada to a light.  Ewww.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnywho, I’m can’t recall the last time that I saw sparklers in a store.  Have I been missing something?  I couldn’t pass them by.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil I saw that they were 15 buckaroos for the package.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhoa.  Come on, sparkler peeps.  Really?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA single woman needs only a single sparker, so I parted with the 5 bucks for ONE SPARKLER in the spirit of Carpe Diem and this blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI chose the numeral 8 (instead of “4” for the 4<sup>th</sup> of July because I recently learned that 8 is a highly auspicious number in Asian cultures, and even though I say that I’m not superstitious, I do wacky stuff like this all the time.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI didn’t realize until the cashier asked, “Is your child having an 8<sup>th</sup> birthday” that my sparkler was meant for a child’s birthday cake.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“No. Why do you … oh … yes, it’s for my inner 8 year-old.”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSince I was in a “hipster” part of town, the guy appreciated my offbeat answer and thought I was really cool for doing this.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFor 8 seconds, I reveled in my hi\n\npster street cred.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn the 8<sup>th</sup> of July, I lit Lucky 8.  With my recent discovery of the “fireworks” setting on my camera, I set the camera to “timer” and rehearsed a few practice runs.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCan you believe it?  This former point-and-shooter has now advanced to fancy settings and self-timers!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was briefly interrupted by Little Miss B crunching on yet <em>another </em>cicada (double Ewww!), but after the screeching (me), the exposing of the belly (her), and the toilet disposal (the cicada), I resumed shooting and captured this:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6531 alignnone\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7080032-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOooooo.   Ahhhhh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is one of your most magical memories from childhood?  Is there a way for you to rediscover the magic today?\n\n&nbsp;','Day 285:  Lucky 8 Sparkler','','inherit','open','open','','6495-revision-4','','','2011-07-12 14:20:55','2011-07-12 21:20:55','',6495,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/12/6495-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(6556,1,'2011-07-14 11:06:10','2011-07-14 18:06:10','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7080016.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6554\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7080016-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Look at what I picked up at my playdate on Day ?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDid you light sparklers as a kid?  If not, you were deprived, but fret not – there is hope.  Get thee to www.  and order some.  Your inner child is begging.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe used to play with fire sparklers every summer at the beach house when I was a child.  Since my beach house memories are my most shiny, sparkly, heartfelt memories, I am drawn to sparklers like a moth to a light.  Or timelier in my fair city these days, like a cicada to a light.  Ewww.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnywho, I’m can’t recall the last time that I saw sparklers in a store.  Have I been missing something?  I couldn’t pass them by.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil I saw that they were 15 buckaroos for the package.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhoa.  Come on, sparkler peeps.  Really?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA single woman needs only a single sparker, so I parted with the 5 bucks for ONE SPARKLER in the spirit of Carpe Diem and this blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI chose the numeral 8 (instead of “4” for the 4<sup>th</sup> of July because I recently learned that 8 is a highly auspicious number in Asian cultures, and even though I say that I’m not superstitious, I do wacky stuff like this all the time.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI didn’t realize until the cashier asked, “Is your child having an 8<sup>th</sup> birthday” that my sparkler was meant for a child’s birthday cake.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“No. Why do you … oh … yes, it’s for my inner 8 year-old.”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSince I was in a “hipster” part of town, the guy appreciated my offbeat answer and thought I was really cool for doing this.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFor 8 seconds, I reveled in my hi\n\npster street cred.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn the 8<sup>th</sup> of July, I lit Lucky 8.  With my recent discovery of the “fireworks” setting on my camera, I set the camera to “timer” and rehearsed a few practice runs.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCan you believe it?  This former point-and-shooter has now advanced to fancy settings and self-timers!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was briefly interrupted by Little Miss B crunching on yet <em>another </em>cicada (double Ewww!), but after the screeching (me), the exposing of the belly (her), and the toilet disposal (the cicada), I resumed shooting and captured this:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6531 alignnone\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7080032-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOooooo.   Ahhhhh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is one of your most magical memories from childhood?  Is there a way for you to rediscover the magic today?\n\n&nbsp;','Day 285:  Lucky 8 Sparkler','','inherit','open','open','','6495-revision-5','','','2011-07-14 11:06:10','2011-07-14 18:06:10','',6495,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/14/6495-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(6558,1,'2011-07-14 11:33:11','2011-07-14 18:33:11','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7080016.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6554\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7080016-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Look at what I picked up at my playdate on Day ?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDid you light sparklers as a kid?  If not, you were deprived, but fret not – there is hope.  Get thee to Google and order some.  Your inner child is begging.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe used to play with sparklers every summer at the beach house when I was a child.  Since my beach house memories are my most shiny, sparkly, heartfelt memories, I am drawn to sparklers like a moth to a light.  Or timelier in my fair city these days, like a cicada to a light.  Ewww.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnywho, I’m can’t recall the last time that I saw sparklers in a store.  Have I been missing something?  I couldn\'t pass them by.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil I saw that they were 15 buckaroos for the package.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhoa.  Come on, sparkler peeps.  Really?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA single woman needs only a single sparkler, so I parted with the 5 bucks for ONE SPARKLER in the spirit of Carpe Diem and this blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI chose the numeral 8 because I recently learned that 8 is a highly auspicious number in Asian cultures, and even though I say that I’m not superstitious, I do wacky stuff like this all the time.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI didn’t realize until the cashier asked, “Is your child having an 8<sup>th</sup> birthday?” that my sparkler was meant for a child’s birthday cake.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“No. Why do you … oh … yes, it’s for my inner 8 year-old.”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSince I was in a “hipster” part of town, the guy appreciated my offbeat answer and thought I was really cool for doing this.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFor 8 seconds, I reveled in my hipster street cred.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn the 8<sup>th</sup> of July, I lit Lucky 8.  With my recent discovery of the “fireworks” setting on my camera, I set the camera to “timer” and rehearsed a few practice runs.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCan you believe it?  This former point-and-shooter has now advanced to fancy settings and self-timers!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was briefly interrupted by Little Miss B crunching on yet <em>another </em>cicada (double Ewww!), but after the screeching (me), the exposing of the belly (her), and the toilet disposal (the cicada), I resumed shooting and captured this:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6531 alignnone\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7080032-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOooooo.   Ahhhhh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is one of your most magical memories from childhood?  Is there a way for you to rediscover the magic today?\n\n&nbsp;','Day 285:  Lucky 8 Sparkler','','inherit','open','open','','6495-revision-7','','','2011-07-14 11:33:11','2011-07-14 18:33:11','',6495,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/14/6495-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(6557,1,'2011-07-14 11:32:11','2011-07-14 18:32:11','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7080016.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6554\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7080016-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Look at what I picked up at my playdate on Day ?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDid you light sparklers as a kid?  If not, you were deprived, but fret not – there is hope.  Get thee to Google and order some.  Your inner child is begging.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe used to play with sparklers every summer at the beach house when I was a child.  Since my beach house memories are my most shiny, sparkly, heartfelt memories, I am drawn to sparklers like a moth to a light.  Or timelier in my fair city these days, like a cicada to a light.  Ewww.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnywho, I’m can’t recall the last time that I saw sparklers in a store.  Have I been missing something?  I couldn\'t pass them by.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil I saw that they were 15 buckaroos for the package.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhoa.  Come on, sparkler peeps.  Really?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA single woman needs only a single sparkler, so I parted with the 5 bucks for ONE SPARKLER in the spirit of Carpe Diem and this blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI chose the numeral 8 (instead of Bri\'s suggestion of “4” for the upcoming 4<sup>th</sup> of July) because I recently learned that 8 is a highly auspicious number in Asian cultures, and even though I say that I’m not superstitious, I do wacky stuff like this all the time.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI didn’t realize until the cashier asked, “Is your child having an 8<sup>th</sup> birthday” that my sparkler was meant for a child’s birthday cake.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“No. Why do you … oh … yes, it’s for my inner 8 year-old.”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSince I was in a “hipster” part of town, the guy appreciated my offbeat answer and thought I was really cool for doing this.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFor 8 seconds, I reveled in my hipster street cred.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn the 8<sup>th</sup> of July, I lit Lucky 8.  With my recent discovery of the “fireworks” setting on my camera, I set the camera to “timer” and rehearsed a few practice runs.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCan you believe it?  This former point-and-shooter has now advanced to fancy settings and self-timers!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was briefly interrupted by Little Miss B crunching on yet <em>another </em>cicada (double Ewww!), but after the screeching (me), the exposing of the belly (her), and the toilet disposal (the cicada), I resumed shooting and captured this:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6531 alignnone\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7080032-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOooooo.   Ahhhhh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is one of your most magical memories from childhood?  Is there a way for you to rediscover the magic today?\n\n&nbsp;','Day 285:  Lucky 8 Sparkler','','inherit','open','open','','6495-revision-6','','','2011-07-14 11:32:11','2011-07-14 18:32:11','',6495,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/14/6495-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(6560,1,'2011-07-14 11:35:44','2011-07-14 18:35:44','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7080016.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6554\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7080016-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Look at what I picked up at my playdate at Smeeks on Day 266?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDid you light sparklers as a kid?  If not, you were deprived, but fret not – there is hope.  Get thee to Google and order some.  Your inner child is begging.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe used to play with sparklers every summer at the beach house when I was a child.  Since my beach house memories are my most shiny, sparkly, heartfelt memories, I am drawn to sparklers like a moth to a light.  Or timelier in my fair city these days, like a cicada to a light.  Ewww.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnywho, I’m can’t recall the last time that I saw sparklers in a store.  Have I been missing something?  I couldn\'t pass them by.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil I saw that they were 15 buckaroos for the package.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhoa.  Come on, sparkler peeps.  Really?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA single woman needs only a single sparkler, so I parted with the 5 bucks for ONE SPARKLER in the spirit of Carpe Diem and this blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI chose the numeral 8 because I recently learned that 8 is a highly auspicious number in Asian cultures, and even though I say that I’m not superstitious, I do wacky stuff like this all the time.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI didn’t realize until the cashier asked, “Is your child having an 8<sup>th</sup> birthday?” that my sparkler was meant for a child’s birthday cake.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“No. Why do you … oh … yes, it’s for my inner 8 year-old.”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSince I was in a “hipster” part of town, the guy appreciated my offbeat answer and thought I was really cool for doing this.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFor 8 seconds, I reveled in my hipster street cred.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn the 8<sup>th</sup> of July, I lit Lucky 8.  With my recent discovery of the “fireworks” setting on my camera, I set the camera to “timer” and rehearsed a few practice runs.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCan you believe it?  This former point-and-shooter has now advanced to fancy settings and self-timers!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was briefly interrupted by Little Miss B crunching on yet <em>another </em>cicada (double Ewww!), but after the screeching (me), the exposing of the belly (her), and the toilet disposal (the cicada), I resumed shooting and captured this:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6531 alignnone\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7080032-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOooooo.   Ahhhhh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is one of your most magical memories from childhood?  Is there a way for you to rediscover the magic today?\n\n&nbsp;','Day 285:  Lucky 8 Sparkler','','inherit','open','open','','6495-revision-9','','','2011-07-14 11:35:44','2011-07-14 18:35:44','',6495,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/14/6495-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(6559,1,'2011-07-14 11:34:03','2011-07-14 18:34:03','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7080016.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6554\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7080016-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Look at what I picked up at my playdate on Day ?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDid you light sparklers as a kid?  If not, you were deprived, but fret not – there is hope.  Get thee to Google and order some.  Your inner child is begging.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe used to play with sparklers every summer at the beach house when I was a child.  Since my beach house memories are my most shiny, sparkly, heartfelt memories, I am drawn to sparklers like a moth to a light.  Or timelier in my fair city these days, like a cicada to a light.  Ewww.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnywho, I’m can’t recall the last time that I saw sparklers in a store.  Have I been missing something?  I couldn\'t pass them by.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil I saw that they were 15 buckaroos for the package.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhoa.  Come on, sparkler peeps.  Really?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA single woman needs only a single sparkler, so I parted with the 5 bucks for ONE SPARKLER in the spirit of Carpe Diem and this blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose the numeral 8 because I recently learned that 8 is a highly auspicious number in Asian cultures, and even though I say that I’m not superstitious, I do wacky stuff like this all the time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI didn’t realize until the cashier asked, “Is your child having an 8<sup>th</sup> birthday?” that my sparkler was meant for a child’s birthday cake.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“No. Why do you … oh … yes, it’s for my inner 8 year-old.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSince I was in a “hipster” part of town, the guy appreciated my offbeat answer and thought I was really cool for doing this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor 8 seconds, I reveled in my hipster street cred.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn the 8<sup>th</sup> of July, I lit Lucky 8.  With my recent discovery of the “fireworks” setting on my camera, I set the camera to “timer” and rehearsed a few practice runs.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCan you believe it?  This former point-and-shooter has now advanced to fancy settings and self-timers!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was briefly interrupted by Little Miss B crunching on yet <em>another </em>cicada (double Ewww!), but after the screeching (me), the exposing of the belly (her), and the toilet disposal (the cicada), I resumed shooting and captured this:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6531 alignnone\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7080032-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOooooo.   Ahhhhh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is one of your most magical memories from childhood?  Is there a way for you to rediscover the magic today?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 285:  Lucky 8 Sparkler','','inherit','open','open','','6495-revision-8','','','2011-07-14 11:34:03','2011-07-14 18:34:03','',6495,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/14/6495-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(6561,1,'2011-07-14 11:36:40','2011-07-14 18:36:40','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7080016.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6554\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7080016-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Look at what I picked up at my playdate at <strong><a href=\"http://www.smeeks.com/\" target=\"_blank\">smeeks</a></strong> on <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/21/day-266-trip-down-memory-corner/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 266</a></strong>?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDid you light sparklers as a kid?  If not, you were deprived, but fret not – there is hope.  Get thee to Google and order some.  Your inner child is begging.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe used to play with sparklers every summer at the beach house when I was a child.  Since my beach house memories are my most shiny, sparkly, heartfelt memories, I am drawn to sparklers like a moth to a light.  Or timelier in my fair city these days, like a cicada to a light.  Ewww.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnywho, I’m can’t recall the last time that I saw sparklers in a store.  Have I been missing something?  I couldn\'t pass them by.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil I saw that they were 15 buckaroos for the package.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhoa.  Come on, sparkler peeps.  Really?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA single woman needs only a single sparkler, so I parted with the 5 bucks for ONE SPARKLER in the spirit of Carpe Diem and this blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose the numeral 8 because I recently learned that 8 is a highly auspicious number in Asian cultures, and even though I say that I’m not superstitious, I do wacky stuff like this all the time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI didn’t realize until the cashier asked, “Is your child having an 8<sup>th</sup> birthday?” that my sparkler was meant for a child’s birthday cake.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“No. Why do you … oh … yes, it’s for my inner 8 year-old.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSince I was in a “hipster” part of town, the guy appreciated my offbeat answer and thought I was really cool for doing this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor 8 seconds, I reveled in my hipster street cred.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn the 8<sup>th</sup> of July, I lit Lucky 8.  With my recent discovery of the “fireworks” setting on my camera, I set the camera to “timer” and rehearsed a few practice runs.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCan you believe it?  This former point-and-shooter has now advanced to fancy settings and self-timers!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was briefly interrupted by Little Miss B crunching on yet <em>another </em>cicada (double Ewww!), but after the screeching (me), the exposing of the belly (her), and the toilet disposal (the cicada), I resumed shooting and captured this:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6531 alignnone\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7080032-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOooooo.   Ahhhhh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is one of your most magical memories from childhood?  Is there a way for you to rediscover the magic today?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 285:  Lucky 8 Sparkler','','inherit','open','open','','6495-revision-10','','','2011-07-14 11:36:40','2011-07-14 18:36:40','',6495,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/14/6495-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(6562,1,'2011-07-14 11:38:53','2011-07-14 18:38:53','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7080016.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6554\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7080016-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Look at what I picked up at my playdate at <strong><a href=\"http://www.smeeks.com/\" target=\"_blank\">smeeks</a></strong> on <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/21/day-266-trip-down-memory-corner/\" target=\"_blank\">Day 266</a></strong>?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDid you light sparklers as a kid?  If not, you were deprived, but fret not – there is hope.  Get thee to Google and order some.  Your inner child is begging.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe used to play with sparklers every summer at the beach house when I was a child.  Since my beach house memories are my most shiny, sparkly, heartfelt memories, I am drawn to sparklers like a moth to a light.  Or timelier in my fair city these days, like a cicada to a light.  Ewww.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnywho, I’m can’t recall the last time that I saw sparklers in a store.  Have I been missing something?  I couldn\'t pass them by.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil I saw that they were 15 buckaroos for the package.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhoa.  Come on, sparkler peeps.  Really?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA single woman needs only a single sparkler, so I parted with the 5 bucks for ONE SPARKLER in the spirit of Carpe Diem and this blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI chose the numeral 8 because I recently learned that 8 is a highly auspicious number in Asian cultures, and even though I say that I’m not superstitious, I do wacky stuff like this all the time.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI didn’t realize until the cashier asked, “Is your child having an 8<sup>th</sup> birthday?” that my sparkler was meant for a child’s birthday cake.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“No. Why do you … oh … yes, it’s for my inner 8 year-old.”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSince I was in a “hipster” part of town, the guy appreciated my offbeat answer and thought I was really cool for doing this.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFor 8 seconds, I reveled in my hipster street cred.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn the 8<sup>th</sup> of July, I lit Lucky 8.  With my recent discovery of the “fireworks” setting on my camera, I set the camera to “timer” and rehearsed a few practice runs.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCan you believe it?  This former point-and-shooter has now advanced to fancy settings and self-timers!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was briefly interrupted by Little Miss B crunching on yet <em>another </em>cicada (double Ewww!), but after the screeching (me), the exposing of the belly (her), and the toilet disposal (the cicada), I resumed shooting and captured this:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6531 alignnone\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7080032-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOooooo.   Ahhhhh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat is one of your most magical memories from childhood?  Is there a way for you to rediscover the magic today?\n\n&nbsp;','Day 285:  Lucky 8 Sparkler','','inherit','open','open','','6495-autosave','','','2011-07-14 11:38:53','2011-07-14 18:38:53','',6495,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/14/6495-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(6569,1,'2011-07-14 21:12:05','2011-07-15 04:12:05','[caption id=\"attachment_6528\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"You don&#39;t want to see me first thing in the a.m. without a stitch of makeup. Trust me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900341.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6528\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900341-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIn two months, I embark on an adventure of a lifetime.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI arrive in Florence and meet up with my beloved cousins.  We will then join <strong><a href=\"http://vbt.com\" target=\"_blank\">Vermont Bicycle Tours</a></strong> and cycle our way through the hills and seaside of Tuscany to Rome.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am fit and ready for the challenge!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSort of..  I don’t own a bicycle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich, now that I think of it, is really sad considering that my parents couldn’t get me<em> off</em> of my bicycle when I was a kid.  I need to rethink this in the near future.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the immediate future, I need to regularly get my tuckus on a cycle pronto.  Since it’s currently 110 in the shade, I will need to get my tuckus on a cycle indoors.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMindlessly sitting on an exercise bicycle holds zero appeal for me.  I therefore asked Christy Jo if I could accompany her to my first ever spin class at her gym.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>She’s only been asking me to do this for a few years.  But now with my tuckus at stake, I thought it was time.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was a bit daunted by the whole thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst of all, the weekend spin classes start at 8 a.m. which is suitable for Christy Jo because she is a mother.  Mothers awaken early with their children.  Childless women enjoy the luxury of rolling out of bed at 8 – 8:30 a.m. to walk their dogs.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSecondly, spin classes are touted as being the Hardest Workout in the History of Man and Womankind.  At least “spin people” refer to it this way.  I’m fit, but I’m no Olympian.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThirdly, I was stepping foot into a gym for the first time in 3 years.  I could not show up in my old, dingy workout clothes worn during my home workouts.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/07/day-280-need-inspiration-shop-for-a-sports-bra/\" target=\"_blank\">Luckily, I remedied this problem at Lululemon one week prior.</a>  </strong>Whew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBleary-eyed and less-than-bushytailed, I arrived at the gym between 7:45 7:50 on Saturday morning to find an ultra-chipper Christy Jo and her cutie pie of a kid.  They obviously had been up for 3 hours and had eaten their Cheerios.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe entered the CROWDED tiny room packed full of spin bikes.  These suburbanites obviously all have 2.2 kids and are early weekend risers.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter 5-10 minutes of Christy Jo fine tuning my bike to adjust for my 5’2 and ¾ inch frame, we started pedaling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music was LOUD.  This boded well for me.  I am the typical GenXer who undoubtedly suffers some sort of hearing loss from blaring their Sony Walkman through early adulthood.  I like my music to rattle the windows.  The louder the music, the more motivated the Late Bloomer.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAND!!!!  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/12/day-284-listening-to-more-recent-and-i-use-that-phrase-loosely-music/\" target=\"_blank\">To suit my penchant for pre-1987 tunes</a></strong>, the first song was Michael Jackson’s “Black and White” which graces my list of Top 10 Favorite Pop Songs.  I was ready to tackle my imaginary hills and SPIN!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy enthusiasm at the start dwindled during the warm-up.  My legs started to feel like toast approximately 5 minutes in.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I looked over at Christy Jo and asked, “Am I going to die?”</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe simply laughed at me as she always does.  I guess she thought I was joking.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then the strangest thing happened…\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI started to feel ENERGIZED and like I CAN DO THIS!  This spin rebirth occurred partly from the uber-bright-eyed and bushy-tailed instructor with The Most Sculpted Arms in the State of Arizona, and partly from me remembering that I always feel winded for the first 5 minutes of a workout.  After 5 minutes, I am set and raring to go!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI pedaled.  I surged.  I sprinted.  I was up and down, up and down. I got down low to go \"through the tunnel\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6529\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Reenacting the Famous Tunnels of Tuscany\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900351.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6529\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900351-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe instructor shared with us newbies that there is no shame in taking a break.  Break schmeak!  I kept spinning my little heart out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChristy Jo looked over again with an appalled expression.  “Do you sweat???”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow <em>I</em> was the one laughing.  “I’ve never been much of a sweaty person.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHe he he.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter cycling through what I am sure was the equivalent of 20 miles of Tuscan hills, Ms. Sculpted Arms AZ congratulated us for showing up early and starting our day with a challenging workout.  With this jump start, we were now guaranteed to have a fantastic day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou know what?  She was absolutely right!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCoasting on my endorphin high, I stopped by the front desk to inquire about month-to-month membership pricing.  It might not be a bad idea to continue spinning my way towards my Italian adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe young woman (I’m guessing around 18) at the front desk pointed out the pricing for the various age brackets.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>She then pointed to the first age bracket labeled “18-27” and ASKED IF WAS 27!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat’s it!  SOLD to the 18 year-old at the front desk!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf spinning shaves 14 (?) years off of my life after one class, then I am in for LIFE!\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever taken a spin class?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 286:  Spinning ','','inherit','open','open','','6497-revision-9','','','2011-07-14 21:12:05','2011-07-15 04:12:05','',6497,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/14/6497-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(6565,1,'2011-07-14 21:03:43','2011-07-15 04:03:43','[caption id=\"attachment_6528\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"You don&#39;t want to see me first thing in the a.m. without a stitch of makeup. Trust me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900341.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6528\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900341-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nIn two months, I embark on an adventure of a lifetime.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI arrive in Florence and meet up with my beloved cousins.  We will then join <strong><a href=\"http://vbt.com\" target=\"_blank\">Vermont Bicycle Tours</a></strong> and cycle our way through the hills and seaside of Tuscany to Rome.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI am fit and ready for the challenge!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSort of..  I don’t own a bicycle.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhich, now that I think of it, is really sad considering that my parents couldn’t get me<em> off</em> of my bicycle when I was a kid.  I need to rethink this in the near future.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the immediate future, I need to regularly get my tuckus on a cycle pronto.  Since it’s currently 110 in the shade, I will need to get my tuckus on a cycle indoors.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMindlessly sitting on an exercise bicycle holds zero appeal for me.  I therefore asked Christy Jo if I could accompany her to my first ever spin class at her gym.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe’s only been asking me to do this for a few years.  But now with my tuckus at stake, I thought it was time.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was a bit daunted by the whole thing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFirst of all, the weekend spin classes start at 8 a.m. which is suitable for Christy Jo because she is a mother.  Mothers awaken early with their children.  Childless women enjoy the luxury of rolling out of bed at 8 – 8:30 a.m. to walk their dogs.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSecondly, spin classes are touted as being the Hardest Workout in the History of Man and Womankind.  At least “spin people” refer to it this way.  I’m fit, but I’m no Olympian.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThirdly, I was stepping foot into a gym for the first time in 3 years.  I could not show up in my old, dingy workout clothes worn during my home workouts.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/07/day-280-need-inspiration-shop-for-a-sports-bra/\" target=\"_blank\">Luckily, I remedied this problem at Lululemon one week prior.</a>  </strong>Whew!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHleary-eyed and less-than-bushytailed, I arrived at the gym between 7:45 7:50 on Saturday morning to find an ultra-chipper Christy Jo and her cutie pie of a kid.  They obviously had been up for 3 hours and had eaten their Cheerios.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe entered the CROWDED tiny room packed full of spin bikes.  These suburbanites obviously all have 2.2 kids and are early weekend risers.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter 5-10 minutes of Christy Jo fine tuning my bike to adjust for my 5’2 and ¾ inch frame, we started pedaling.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe music was LOUD.  This boded well for me.  I am the typical GenXer who undoubtedly suffers some sort of hearing loss from blaring their Sony Walkman through early adulthood.  I like my music to rattle the windows.  The louder the music, the more motivated the Late Bloomer.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAND!!!!  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/12/day-284-listening-to-more-recent-and-i-use-that-phrase-loosely-music/\" target=\"_blank\">To suit my penchant for pre-1987 tunes</a></strong>, the first song was Michael Jackson’s “Black and White” which graces my list of Top 10 Favorite Pop Songs.  I was ready to tackle my imaginary hills and SPIN!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy enthusiasm at the start dwindled during the warm-up.  My legs started to feel like toast approximately 5 minutes in.  I looked over at Christy Jo and asked, “Am I going to die?”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe simply laughed at me as she always does.  I guess she thought I was joking.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then the strangest thing happened…\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI started to feel ENERGIZED and like I CAN DO THIS!  This spin rebirth occurred partly from the uber-bright-eyed and bushy-tailed instructor with The Most Sculpted Arms in the State of Arizona, and partly from me remembering that I always feel winded for the first 5 minutes of a workout.  After 5 minutes, I am set and raring to go!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI pedaled.  I surged.  I sprinted.  I was up and down, up and down. I got down low to go \"through the tunnel\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6529\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Reenacting the Famous Tunnels of Tuscany\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900351.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6529\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900351-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe instructor shared with us newbies that there is no shame in taking a break.  Break schmeak!  I kept spinning my little heart out.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChristy Jo looked over again with an appalled expression.  “Do you sweat???”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow <em>I</em> was the one laughing.  “I’ve never been much of a sweaty person.”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHe he he.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter cycling through what I am sure was the equivalent of 20 miles of Tuscan hills, Ms. Sculpted Arms AZ congratulated us for showing up early and starting our day with a challenging workout.  With this jump start, we were now guaranteed to have a fantastic day.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou know what?  She was absolutely right!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCoasting on my endorphin high, I stopped by the front desk to inquire about month-to-month membership pricing.  It might not be a bad idea to continue spinning my way towards my Italian adventure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe young woman (I’m guessing around 18) at the front desk pointed out the pricing for the various age brackets.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe then pointed to the first age bracket labeled “18-27” and ASKED IF WAS 27!!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThat’s it!  SOLD to the 18 year-old at the front desk!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf spinning shaves 14 (?) years off of my life after one class, then I am in for LIFE!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6520\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"O.k., O.k. Fine. This is what I look like first thing in the a.m. after a 60 minute spin class. What I do for this blog...\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7090036.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6520\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7090036-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever taken a spin class?  What did you think?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 286:  Spinning ','','inherit','open','open','','6497-revision-5','','','2011-07-14 21:03:43','2011-07-15 04:03:43','',6497,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/14/6497-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(6568,1,'2011-07-14 21:11:41','2011-07-15 04:11:41','[caption id=\"attachment_6528\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"You don&#39;t want to see me first thing in the a.m. without a stitch of makeup. Trust me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900341.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6528\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900341-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIn two months, I embark on an adventure of a lifetime.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI arrive in Florence and meet up with my beloved cousins.  We will then join <strong><a href=\"http://vbt.com\" target=\"_blank\">Vermont Bicycle Tours</a></strong> and cycle our way through the hills and seaside of Tuscany to Rome.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am fit and ready for the challenge!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSort of..  I don’t own a bicycle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich, now that I think of it, is really sad considering that my parents couldn’t get me<em> off</em> of my bicycle when I was a kid.  I need to rethink this in the near future.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the immediate future, I need to regularly get my tuckus on a cycle pronto.  Since it’s currently 110 in the shade, I will need to get my tuckus on a cycle indoors.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMindlessly sitting on an exercise bicycle holds zero appeal for me.  I therefore asked Christy Jo if I could accompany her to my first ever spin class at her gym.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>She’s only been asking me to do this for a few years.  But now with my tuckus at stake, I thought it was time.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was a bit daunted by the whole thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst of all, the weekend spin classes start at 8 a.m. which is suitable for Christy Jo because she is a mother.  Mothers awaken early with their children.  Childless women enjoy the luxury of rolling out of bed at 8 – 8:30 a.m. to walk their dogs.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSecondly, spin classes are touted as being the Hardest Workout in the History of Man and Womankind.  At least “spin people” refer to it this way.  I’m fit, but I’m no Olympian.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThirdly, I was stepping foot into a gym for the first time in 3 years.  I could not show up in my old, dingy workout clothes worn during my home workouts.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/07/day-280-need-inspiration-shop-for-a-sports-bra/\" target=\"_blank\">Luckily, I remedied this problem at Lululemon one week prior.</a>  </strong>Whew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBleary-eyed and less-than-bushytailed, I arrived at the gym between 7:45 7:50 on Saturday morning to find an ultra-chipper Christy Jo and her cutie pie of a kid.  They obviously had been up for 3 hours and had eaten their Cheerios.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe entered the CROWDED tiny room packed full of spin bikes.  These suburbanites obviously all have 2.2 kids and are early weekend risers.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter 5-10 minutes of Christy Jo fine tuning my bike to adjust for my 5’2 and ¾ inch frame, we started pedaling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music was LOUD.  This boded well for me.  I am the typical GenXer who undoubtedly suffers some sort of hearing loss from blaring their Sony Walkman through early adulthood.  I like my music to rattle the windows.  The louder the music, the more motivated the Late Bloomer.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAND!!!!  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/12/day-284-listening-to-more-recent-and-i-use-that-phrase-loosely-music/\" target=\"_blank\">To suit my penchant for pre-1987 tunes</a></strong>, the first song was Michael Jackson’s “Black and White” which graces my list of Top 10 Favorite Pop Songs.  I was ready to tackle my imaginary hills and SPIN!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy enthusiasm at the start dwindled during the warm-up.  My legs started to feel like toast approximately 5 minutes in.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I looked over at Christy Jo and asked, “Am I going to die?”</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe simply laughed at me as she always does.  I guess she thought I was joking.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then the strangest thing happened…\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI started to feel ENERGIZED and like I CAN DO THIS!  This spin rebirth occurred partly from the uber-bright-eyed and bushy-tailed instructor with The Most Sculpted Arms in the State of Arizona, and partly from me remembering that I always feel winded for the first 5 minutes of a workout.  After 5 minutes, I am set and raring to go!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI pedaled.  I surged.  I sprinted.  I was up and down, up and down. I got down low to go \"through the tunnel\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6529\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Reenacting the Famous Tunnels of Tuscany\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900351.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6529\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900351-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe instructor shared with us newbies that there is no shame in taking a break.  Break schmeak!  I kept spinning my little heart out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChristy Jo looked over again with an appalled expression.  “Do you sweat???”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow <em>I</em> was the one laughing.  “I’ve never been much of a sweaty person.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHe he he.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter cycling through what I am sure was the equivalent of 20 miles of Tuscan hills, Ms. Sculpted Arms AZ congratulated us for showing up early and starting our day with a challenging workout.  With this jump start, we were now guaranteed to have a fantastic day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou know what?  She was absolutely right!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCoasting on my endorphin high, I stopped by the front desk to inquire about month-to-month membership pricing.  It might not be a bad idea to continue spinning my way towards my Italian adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe young woman (I’m guessing around 18) at the front desk pointed out the pricing for the various age brackets.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>She then pointed to the first age bracket labeled “18-27” and ASKED IF WAS 27!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat’s it!  SOLD to the 18 year-old at the front desk!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf spinning shaves 14 (?) years off of my life after one class, then I am in for LIFE!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever taken a spin class?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 286:  Spinning ','','inherit','open','open','','6497-revision-8','','','2011-07-14 21:11:41','2011-07-15 04:11:41','',6497,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/14/6497-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(6566,1,'2011-07-14 21:03:59','2011-07-15 04:03:59','[caption id=\"attachment_6528\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"You don&#39;t want to see me first thing in the a.m. without a stitch of makeup. Trust me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900341.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6528\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900341-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIn two months, I embark on an adventure of a lifetime.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI arrive in Florence and meet up with my beloved cousins.  We will then join <strong><a href=\"http://vbt.com\" target=\"_blank\">Vermont Bicycle Tours</a></strong> and cycle our way through the hills and seaside of Tuscany to Rome.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am fit and ready for the challenge!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSort of..  I don’t own a bicycle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich, now that I think of it, is really sad considering that my parents couldn’t get me<em> off</em> of my bicycle when I was a kid.  I need to rethink this in the near future.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the immediate future, I need to regularly get my tuckus on a cycle pronto.  Since it’s currently 110 in the shade, I will need to get my tuckus on a cycle indoors.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMindlessly sitting on an exercise bicycle holds zero appeal for me.  I therefore asked Christy Jo if I could accompany her to my first ever spin class at her gym.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe’s only been asking me to do this for a few years.  But now with my tuckus at stake, I thought it was time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was a bit daunted by the whole thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst of all, the weekend spin classes start at 8 a.m. which is suitable for Christy Jo because she is a mother.  Mothers awaken early with their children.  Childless women enjoy the luxury of rolling out of bed at 8 – 8:30 a.m. to walk their dogs.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSecondly, spin classes are touted as being the Hardest Workout in the History of Man and Womankind.  At least “spin people” refer to it this way.  I’m fit, but I’m no Olympian.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThirdly, I was stepping foot into a gym for the first time in 3 years.  I could not show up in my old, dingy workout clothes worn during my home workouts.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/07/day-280-need-inspiration-shop-for-a-sports-bra/\" target=\"_blank\">Luckily, I remedied this problem at Lululemon one week prior.</a>  </strong>Whew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHleary-eyed and less-than-bushytailed, I arrived at the gym between 7:45 7:50 on Saturday morning to find an ultra-chipper Christy Jo and her cutie pie of a kid.  They obviously had been up for 3 hours and had eaten their Cheerios.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe entered the CROWDED tiny room packed full of spin bikes.  These suburbanites obviously all have 2.2 kids and are early weekend risers.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter 5-10 minutes of Christy Jo fine tuning my bike to adjust for my 5’2 and ¾ inch frame, we started pedaling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music was LOUD.  This boded well for me.  I am the typical GenXer who undoubtedly suffers some sort of hearing loss from blaring their Sony Walkman through early adulthood.  I like my music to rattle the windows.  The louder the music, the more motivated the Late Bloomer.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAND!!!!  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/12/day-284-listening-to-more-recent-and-i-use-that-phrase-loosely-music/\" target=\"_blank\">To suit my penchant for pre-1987 tunes</a></strong>, the first song was Michael Jackson’s “Black and White” which graces my list of Top 10 Favorite Pop Songs.  I was ready to tackle my imaginary hills and SPIN!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy enthusiasm at the start dwindled during the warm-up.  My legs started to feel like toast approximately 5 minutes in.  I looked over at Christy Jo and asked, “Am I going to die?”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe simply laughed at me as she always does.  I guess she thought I was joking.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then the strangest thing happened…\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI started to feel ENERGIZED and like I CAN DO THIS!  This spin rebirth occurred partly from the uber-bright-eyed and bushy-tailed instructor with The Most Sculpted Arms in the State of Arizona, and partly from me remembering that I always feel winded for the first 5 minutes of a workout.  After 5 minutes, I am set and raring to go!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI pedaled.  I surged.  I sprinted.  I was up and down, up and down. I got down low to go \"through the tunnel\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6529\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Reenacting the Famous Tunnels of Tuscany\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900351.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6529\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900351-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe instructor shared with us newbies that there is no shame in taking a break.  Break schmeak!  I kept spinning my little heart out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChristy Jo looked over again with an appalled expression.  “Do you sweat???”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow <em>I</em> was the one laughing.  “I’ve never been much of a sweaty person.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHe he he.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter cycling through what I am sure was the equivalent of 20 miles of Tuscan hills, Ms. Sculpted Arms AZ congratulated us for showing up early and starting our day with a challenging workout.  With this jump start, we were now guaranteed to have a fantastic day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou know what?  She was absolutely right!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCoasting on my endorphin high, I stopped by the front desk to inquire about month-to-month membership pricing.  It might not be a bad idea to continue spinning my way towards my Italian adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe young woman (I’m guessing around 18) at the front desk pointed out the pricing for the various age brackets.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then pointed to the first age bracket labeled “18-27” and ASKED IF WAS 27!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat’s it!  SOLD to the 18 year-old at the front desk!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf spinning shaves 14 (?) years off of my life after one class, then I am in for LIFE!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6520\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"O.k., O.k. Fine. This is what I look like first thing in the a.m. after a 60 minute spin class. What I do for this blog...\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7090036.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6520\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7090036-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever taken a spin class?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 286:  Spinning ','','inherit','open','open','','6497-revision-6','','','2011-07-14 21:03:59','2011-07-15 04:03:59','',6497,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/14/6497-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(6570,1,'2011-07-14 21:13:03','2011-07-15 04:13:03','[caption id=\"attachment_6528\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"You don&#39;t want to see me first thing in the a.m. without a stitch of makeup. Trust me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900341.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6528\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900341-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIn two months, I embark on an adventure of a lifetime.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI arrive in Florence and meet up with my beloved cousins.  We will then join <strong><a href=\"http://vbt.com\" target=\"_blank\">Vermont Bicycle Tours</a></strong> and cycle our way through the hills and seaside of Tuscany to Rome.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am fit and ready for the challenge!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSort of..  I don’t own a bicycle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich, now that I think of it, is really sad considering that my parents couldn’t get me<em> off</em> of my bicycle when I was a kid.  I need to rethink this in the near future.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the immediate future, I need to regularly get my tuckus on a cycle pronto.  Since it’s currently 110 in the shade, I will need to get my tuckus on a cycle indoors.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMindlessly sitting on an exercise bicycle holds zero appeal for me.  I therefore asked Christy Jo if I could accompany her to my first ever spin class at her gym.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>She’s only been asking me to do this for a few years.  But now with my tuckus at stake, I thought it was time.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was a bit daunted by the whole thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst of all, the weekend spin classes start at 8 a.m. which is suitable for Christy Jo because she is a mother.  Mothers awaken early with their children.  Childless women enjoy the luxury of rolling out of bed at 8 – 8:30 a.m. to walk their dogs.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSecondly, spin classes are touted as being the Hardest Workout in the History of Man and Womankind.  At least “spin people” refer to it this way.  I’m fit, but I’m no Olympian.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThirdly, I was stepping foot into a gym for the first time in 3 years.  I could not show up in my old, dingy workout clothes worn during my home workouts.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/07/day-280-need-inspiration-shop-for-a-sports-bra/\" target=\"_blank\">Luckily, I remedied this problem at Lululemon one week prior.</a>  </strong>Whew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBleary-eyed and less-than-bushytailed, I arrived at the gym between 7:45 7:50 on Saturday morning to find an ultra-chipper Christy Jo and her cutie pie of a kid.  They obviously had been up for 3 hours and had eaten their Cheerios.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe entered the CROWDED tiny room packed full of spin bikes.  These suburbanites obviously all have 2.2 kids and are early weekend risers.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter 5-10 minutes of Christy Jo fine tuning my bike to adjust for my 5’2 and ¾ inch frame, we started pedaling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music was LOUD.  This boded well for me.  I am the typical GenXer who undoubtedly suffers some sort of hearing loss from blaring their Sony Walkman through early adulthood.  I like my music to rattle the windows.  The louder the music, the more motivated the Late Bloomer.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAND!!!!  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/12/day-284-listening-to-more-recent-and-i-use-that-phrase-loosely-music/\" target=\"_blank\">To suit my penchant for pre-1987 tunes</a></strong>, the first song was Michael Jackson’s “Black and White” which graces my list of Top 10 Favorite Pop Songs.  I was ready to tackle my imaginary hills and SPIN!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy enthusiasm at the start dwindled during the warm-up.  My legs started to feel like toast approximately 5 minutes in.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I looked over at Christy Jo and asked, “Am I going to die?”</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe simply laughed at me as she always does.  I guess she thought I was joking.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then the strangest thing happened…\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI started to feel ENERGIZED and like I CAN DO THIS!  This spin rebirth occurred partly from the uber-bright-eyed and bushy-tailed instructor with The Most Sculpted Arms in the State of Arizona, and partly from me remembering that I always feel winded for the first 5 minutes of a workout.  After 5 minutes, I am set and raring to go!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI pedaled.  I surged.  I sprinted.  I was up and down, up and down. I got down low to go \"through the tunnel\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6529\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Reenacting the Famous Tunnels of Tuscany\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900351.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6529\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900351-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe instructor shared with us newbies that there is no shame in taking a break.  Break schmeak!  I kept spinning my little heart out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChristy Jo looked over again with an appalled expression.  “Do you sweat???”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow <em>I</em> was the one laughing.  “I’ve never been much of a sweaty person.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHe he he.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter cycling through what I am sure was the equivalent of 20 miles of Tuscan hills, Ms. Sculpted Arms AZ congratulated us for showing up early and starting our day with a challenging workout.  With this jump start, we were now guaranteed to have a fantastic day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou know what?  She was absolutely right!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCoasting on my endorphin high, I stopped by the front desk to inquire about month-to-month membership pricing.  It might not be a bad idea to continue spinning my way towards my Italian adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe young woman (I’m guessing around 18) at the front desk pointed out the pricing for the various age brackets.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>She then pointed to the first age bracket labeled “18-27” and ASKED IF WAS 27!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat’s it!  SOLD to the 18 year-old at the front desk!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf spinning shaves 14 (?) years off of my life after one class, then I am in for LIFE!\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever taken a spin class?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 286:  Spinning My Way to Italy','','inherit','open','open','','6497-revision-10','','','2011-07-14 21:13:03','2011-07-15 04:13:03','',6497,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/14/6497-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(6571,1,'2011-07-14 21:18:32','2011-07-15 04:18:32','[caption id=\"attachment_6528\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"You don&#39;t want to see me first thing in the a.m. without a stitch of makeup. Trust me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900341.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6528\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900341-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nIn two months, I embark on an adventure of a lifetime.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI arrive in Florence and meet up with my beloved cousins.  We will then join <strong><a href=\"http://vbt.com\" target=\"_blank\">Vermont Bicycle Tours</a></strong> and cycle our way through the hills and seaside of Tuscany to Rome.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI am fit and ready for the challenge!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSort of..  I don’t own a bicycle.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhich, now that I think of it, is really sad considering that my parents couldn’t get me<em> off</em> of my bicycle when I was a kid.  I need to rethink this in the near future.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn the immediate future, I need to regularly get my tuckus on a cycle pronto.  Since it’s currently 110 in the shade, I will need to get my tuckus on a cycle indoors.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMindlessly sitting on an exercise bicycle holds zero appeal for me.  I therefore asked Christy Jo if I could accompany her to my first ever spin class at her gym.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>She’s only been asking me to do this for a few years.  But now with my tuckus at stake, I thought it was time.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was a bit daunted by the whole thing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFirst of all, the weekend spin classes start at 8 a.m. which is suitable for Christy Jo because she is a mother.  Mothers awaken early with their children.  Childless women enjoy the luxury of rolling out of bed at 8 – 8:30 a.m. to walk their dogs.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Secondly, spin classes are touted as being the Hardest Workout in the History of Man and Womankind. </span></strong></span> At least “spin people” refer to it this way.  I’m fit, but I’m no Olympian.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThirdly, I was stepping foot into a gym for the first time in 3 years.  I could not show up in my old, dingy workout clothes worn during my home workouts.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/07/day-280-need-inspiration-shop-for-a-sports-bra/\" target=\"_blank\">Luckily, I remedied this problem at Lululemon one week prior.</a>  </strong>Whew!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBleary-eyed and less-than-bushytailed, I arrived at the gym between 7:45 - 7:50 on Saturday morning to find an ultra-chipper Christy Jo and her cutie pie of a kid.  They obviously had been up for 3 hours and had eaten their Cheerios.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe entered the CROWDED tiny room packed full of spin bikes.  These suburbanites obviously all have 2.2 kids and are early weekend risers.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter 5-10 minutes of Christy Jo fine tuning my bike to adjust for my 5’2 and ¾ inch frame, we started pedaling.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe music was LOUD.  This boded well for me.  I am the typical GenXer who undoubtedly suffers some sort of hearing loss from blaring their Sony Walkman through early adulthood.  I like my music to rattle the windows.  The louder the music, the more motivated the Late Bloomer.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAND!!!!  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/12/day-284-listening-to-more-recent-and-i-use-that-phrase-loosely-music/\" target=\"_blank\">To suit my penchant for pre-1987 tunes</a></strong>, the first song was Michael Jackson’s “Black and White” which graces my list of Top 10 Favorite Pop Songs.  I was ready to tackle my imaginary hills and SPIN!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy enthusiasm at the start dwindled during the warm-up.  My legs started to feel like toast approximately 5 minutes in.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I looked over at Christy Jo and asked, “Am I going to die?”</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe simply laughed at me as she always does.  I guess she thought I was joking.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then the strangest thing happened…\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI started to feel ENERGIZED and like I CAN DO THIS!  This spin rebirth occurred partly from the uber-bright-eyed and bushy-tailed instructor with The Most Sculpted Arms in the State of Arizona, and partly from me remembering that I always feel winded for the first 5 minutes of a workout.  After 5 minutes, I am set and raring to go!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI pedaled.  I surged.  I sprinted.  I was up and down, up and down. I got down low to go \"through the tunnel\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6529\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Reenacting the Famous Tunnels of Tuscany\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900351.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6529\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900351-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe instructor shared with us newbies that there is no shame in taking a break.  Break schmeak!  I kept spinning my little heart out.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Christy Jo looked over again with an appalled expression.  “Do you sweat???”</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow <em>I</em> was the one laughing.  “I’ve never been much of a sweaty person.”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHe he he.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter cycling through what I am sure was the equivalent of 20 miles of Tuscan hills, Ms. Sculpted Arms AZ congratulated us for showing up early and starting our day with a challenging workout.  With this jump start, we were now guaranteed to have a fantastic day.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou know what?  She was absolutely right!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCoasting on my endorphin high, I stopped by the front desk to inquire about month-to-month membership pricing.  It might not be a bad idea to continue spinning my way towards my Italian adventure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe young woman (I’m guessing around 18) at the front desk pointed out the pricing for the various age brackets.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>She then pointed to the first age bracket labeled “18-27” and ASKED IF WAS 27!!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThat’s it!  SOLD to the 18 year-old at the front desk!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf spinning shaves 14 (?) years off of my life after one class, then I am in for LIFE!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever taken a spin class?  What did you think?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 286:  Spinning My Way to Italy','','inherit','open','open','','6497-autosave','','','2011-07-14 21:18:32','2011-07-15 04:18:32','',6497,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/14/6497-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(6572,1,'2011-07-14 21:13:34','2011-07-15 04:13:34','[caption id=\"attachment_6528\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"You don&#39;t want to see me first thing in the a.m. without a stitch of makeup. Trust me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900341.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6528\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900341-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIn two months, I embark on an adventure of a lifetime.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI arrive in Florence and meet up with my beloved cousins.  We will then join <strong><a href=\"http://vbt.com\" target=\"_blank\">Vermont Bicycle Tours</a></strong> and cycle our way through the hills and seaside of Tuscany to Rome.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am fit and ready for the challenge!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSort of..  I don’t own a bicycle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich, now that I think of it, is really sad considering that my parents couldn’t get me<em> off</em> of my bicycle when I was a kid.  I need to rethink this in the near future.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the immediate future, I need to regularly get my tuckus on a cycle pronto.  Since it’s currently 110 in the shade, I will need to get my tuckus on a cycle indoors.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMindlessly sitting on an exercise bicycle holds zero appeal for me.  I therefore asked Christy Jo if I could accompany her to my first ever spin class at her gym.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>She’s only been asking me to do this for a few years.  But now with my tuckus at stake, I thought it was time.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was a bit daunted by the whole thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst of all, the weekend spin classes start at 8 a.m. which is suitable for Christy Jo because she is a mother.  Mothers awaken early with their children.  Childless women enjoy the luxury of rolling out of bed at 8 – 8:30 a.m. to walk their dogs.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSecondly, spin classes are touted as being the Hardest Workout in the History of Man and Womankind.  At least “spin people” refer to it this way.  I’m fit, but I’m no Olympian.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThirdly, I was stepping foot into a gym for the first time in 3 years.  I could not show up in my old, dingy workout clothes worn during my home workouts.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/07/day-280-need-inspiration-shop-for-a-sports-bra/\" target=\"_blank\">Luckily, I remedied this problem at Lululemon one week prior.</a>  </strong>Whew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBleary-eyed and less-than-bushytailed, I arrived at the gym between 7:45 7:50 on Saturday morning to find an ultra-chipper Christy Jo and her cutie pie of a kid.  They obviously had been up for 3 hours and had eaten their Cheerios.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe entered the CROWDED tiny room packed full of spin bikes.  These suburbanites obviously all have 2.2 kids and are early weekend risers.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter 5-10 minutes of Christy Jo fine tuning my bike to adjust for my 5’2 and ¾ inch frame, we started pedaling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music was LOUD.  This boded well for me.  I am the typical GenXer who undoubtedly suffers some sort of hearing loss from blaring their Sony Walkman through early adulthood.  I like my music to rattle the windows.  The louder the music, the more motivated the Late Bloomer.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAND!!!!  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/12/day-284-listening-to-more-recent-and-i-use-that-phrase-loosely-music/\" target=\"_blank\">To suit my penchant for pre-1987 tunes</a></strong>, the first song was Michael Jackson’s “Black and White” which graces my list of Top 10 Favorite Pop Songs.  I was ready to tackle my imaginary hills and SPIN!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy enthusiasm at the start dwindled during the warm-up.  My legs started to feel like toast approximately 5 minutes in.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I looked over at Christy Jo and asked, “Am I going to die?”</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe simply laughed at me as she always does.  I guess she thought I was joking.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then the strangest thing happened…\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI started to feel ENERGIZED and like I CAN DO THIS!  This spin rebirth occurred partly from the uber-bright-eyed and bushy-tailed instructor with The Most Sculpted Arms in the State of Arizona, and partly from me remembering that I always feel winded for the first 5 minutes of a workout.  After 5 minutes, I am set and raring to go!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI pedaled.  I surged.  I sprinted.  I was up and down, up and down. I got down low to go \"through the tunnel\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6529\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Reenacting the Famous Tunnels of Tuscany\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900351.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6529\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900351-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe instructor shared with us newbies that there is no shame in taking a break.  Break schmeak!  I kept spinning my little heart out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nChristy Jo looked over again with an appalled expression.  “Do you sweat???”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow <em>I</em> was the one laughing.  “I’ve never been much of a sweaty person.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHe he he.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter cycling through what I am sure was the equivalent of 20 miles of Tuscan hills, Ms. Sculpted Arms AZ congratulated us for showing up early and starting our day with a challenging workout.  With this jump start, we were now guaranteed to have a fantastic day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou know what?  She was absolutely right!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCoasting on my endorphin high, I stopped by the front desk to inquire about month-to-month membership pricing.  It might not be a bad idea to continue spinning my way towards my Italian adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe young woman (I’m guessing around 18) at the front desk pointed out the pricing for the various age brackets.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>She then pointed to the first age bracket labeled “18-27” and ASKED IF WAS 27!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat’s it!  SOLD to the 18 year-old at the front desk!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf spinning shaves 14 (?) years off of my life after one class, then I am in for LIFE!\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever taken a spin class?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 286:  Spinning My Way to Italy','','inherit','open','open','','6497-revision-11','','','2011-07-14 21:13:34','2011-07-15 04:13:34','',6497,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/14/6497-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(6573,1,'2011-07-14 21:15:41','2011-07-15 04:15:41','[caption id=\"attachment_6528\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"You don&#39;t want to see me first thing in the a.m. without a stitch of makeup. Trust me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900341.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6528\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900341-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIn two months, I embark on an adventure of a lifetime.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI arrive in Florence and meet up with my beloved cousins.  We will then join <strong><a href=\"http://vbt.com\" target=\"_blank\">Vermont Bicycle Tours</a></strong> and cycle our way through the hills and seaside of Tuscany to Rome.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am fit and ready for the challenge!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSort of..  I don’t own a bicycle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich, now that I think of it, is really sad considering that my parents couldn’t get me<em> off</em> of my bicycle when I was a kid.  I need to rethink this in the near future.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the immediate future, I need to regularly get my tuckus on a cycle pronto.  Since it’s currently 110 in the shade, I will need to get my tuckus on a cycle indoors.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMindlessly sitting on an exercise bicycle holds zero appeal for me.  I therefore asked Christy Jo if I could accompany her to my first ever spin class at her gym.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>She’s only been asking me to do this for a few years.  But now with my tuckus at stake, I thought it was time.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was a bit daunted by the whole thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst of all, the weekend spin classes start at 8 a.m. which is suitable for Christy Jo because she is a mother.  Mothers awaken early with their children.  Childless women enjoy the luxury of rolling out of bed at 8 – 8:30 a.m. to walk their dogs.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Secondly, spin classes are touted as being the Hardest Workout in the History of Man and Womankind. </span></strong></span> At least “spin people” refer to it this way.  I’m fit, but I’m no Olympian.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThirdly, I was stepping foot into a gym for the first time in 3 years.  I could not show up in my old, dingy workout clothes worn during my home workouts.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/07/day-280-need-inspiration-shop-for-a-sports-bra/\" target=\"_blank\">Luckily, I remedied this problem at Lululemon one week prior.</a>  </strong>Whew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBleary-eyed and less-than-bushytailed, I arrived at the gym between 7:45 7:50 on Saturday morning to find an ultra-chipper Christy Jo and her cutie pie of a kid.  They obviously had been up for 3 hours and had eaten their Cheerios.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe entered the CROWDED tiny room packed full of spin bikes.  These suburbanites obviously all have 2.2 kids and are early weekend risers.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter 5-10 minutes of Christy Jo fine tuning my bike to adjust for my 5’2 and ¾ inch frame, we started pedaling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music was LOUD.  This boded well for me.  I am the typical GenXer who undoubtedly suffers some sort of hearing loss from blaring their Sony Walkman through early adulthood.  I like my music to rattle the windows.  The louder the music, the more motivated the Late Bloomer.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAND!!!!  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/12/day-284-listening-to-more-recent-and-i-use-that-phrase-loosely-music/\" target=\"_blank\">To suit my penchant for pre-1987 tunes</a></strong>, the first song was Michael Jackson’s “Black and White” which graces my list of Top 10 Favorite Pop Songs.  I was ready to tackle my imaginary hills and SPIN!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy enthusiasm at the start dwindled during the warm-up.  My legs started to feel like toast approximately 5 minutes in.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I looked over at Christy Jo and asked, “Am I going to die?”</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe simply laughed at me as she always does.  I guess she thought I was joking.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then the strangest thing happened…\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI started to feel ENERGIZED and like I CAN DO THIS!  This spin rebirth occurred partly from the uber-bright-eyed and bushy-tailed instructor with The Most Sculpted Arms in the State of Arizona, and partly from me remembering that I always feel winded for the first 5 minutes of a workout.  After 5 minutes, I am set and raring to go!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI pedaled.  I surged.  I sprinted.  I was up and down, up and down. I got down low to go \"through the tunnel\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6529\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Reenacting the Famous Tunnels of Tuscany\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900351.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6529\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900351-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe instructor shared with us newbies that there is no shame in taking a break.  Break schmeak!  I kept spinning my little heart out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Christy Jo looked over again with an appalled expression.  “Do you sweat???”</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow <em>I</em> was the one laughing.  “I’ve never been much of a sweaty person.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHe he he.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter cycling through what I am sure was the equivalent of 20 miles of Tuscan hills, Ms. Sculpted Arms AZ congratulated us for showing up early and starting our day with a challenging workout.  With this jump start, we were now guaranteed to have a fantastic day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou know what?  She was absolutely right!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCoasting on my endorphin high, I stopped by the front desk to inquire about month-to-month membership pricing.  It might not be a bad idea to continue spinning my way towards my Italian adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe young woman (I’m guessing around 18) at the front desk pointed out the pricing for the various age brackets.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>She then pointed to the first age bracket labeled “18-27” and ASKED IF WAS 27!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat’s it!  SOLD to the 18 year-old at the front desk!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf spinning shaves 14 (?) years off of my life after one class, then I am in for LIFE!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever taken a spin class?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 286:  Spinning My Way to Italy','','inherit','open','open','','6497-revision-12','','','2011-07-14 21:15:41','2011-07-15 04:15:41','',6497,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/14/6497-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(6574,1,'2011-07-14 21:19:05','2011-07-15 04:19:05','[caption id=\"attachment_6528\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"You don&#39;t want to see me first thing in the a.m. without a stitch of makeup. Trust me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900341.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6528\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900341-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIn two months, I embark on an adventure of a lifetime.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI arrive in Florence and meet up with my beloved cousins.  We will then join <strong><a href=\"http://vbt.com\" target=\"_blank\">Vermont Bicycle Tours</a></strong> and cycle our way through the hills and seaside of Tuscany to Rome.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am fit and ready for the challenge!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSort of..  I don’t own a bicycle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich, now that I think of it, is really sad considering that my parents couldn’t get me<em> off</em> of my bicycle when I was a kid.  I need to rethink this in the near future.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the immediate future, I need to regularly get my tuckus on a cycle pronto.  Since it’s currently 110 in the shade, I will need to get my tuckus on a cycle indoors.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMindlessly sitting on an exercise bicycle holds zero appeal for me.  I therefore asked Christy Jo if I could accompany her to my first ever spin class at her gym.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>She’s only been asking me to do this for a few years.  But now with my tuckus at stake, I thought it was time.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was a bit daunted by the whole thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst of all, the weekend spin classes start at 8 a.m. which is suitable for Christy Jo because she is a mother.  Mothers awaken early with their children.  Childless women enjoy the luxury of rolling out of bed at 8 – 8:30 a.m. to walk their dogs.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Secondly, spin classes are touted as being the Hardest Workout in the History of Man and Womankind. </span></strong></span> At least “spin people” refer to it this way.  I’m fit, but I’m no Olympian.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThirdly, I was stepping foot into a gym for the first time in 3 years.  I could not show up in my old, dingy workout clothes worn during my home workouts.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/07/day-280-need-inspiration-shop-for-a-sports-bra/\" target=\"_blank\">Luckily, I remedied this problem at Lululemon one week prior.</a>  </strong>Whew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBleary-eyed and less-than-bushytailed, I arrived at the gym between 7:45 - 7:50 on Saturday morning to find an ultra-chipper Christy Jo and her cutie pie of a kid.  They obviously had been up for 3 hours and had eaten their Cheerios.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe entered the CROWDED tiny room packed full of spin bikes.  <span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>These suburbanites obviously all have 2.2 kids and are early weekend risers.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter 5-10 minutes of Christy Jo fine tuning my bike to adjust for my 5’2 and ¾ inch frame, we started pedaling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music was LOUD.  This boded well for me.  I am the typical GenXer who undoubtedly suffers some sort of hearing loss from blaring their Sony Walkman through early adulthood.  I like my music to rattle the windows.  The louder the music, the more motivated the Late Bloomer.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAND!!!!  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/12/day-284-listening-to-more-recent-and-i-use-that-phrase-loosely-music/\" target=\"_blank\">To suit my penchant for pre-1987 tunes</a></strong>, the first song was Michael Jackson’s “Black and White” which graces my list of Top 10 Favorite Pop Songs.  I was ready to tackle my imaginary hills and SPIN!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy enthusiasm at the start dwindled during the warm-up.  My legs started to feel like toast approximately 5 minutes in.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I looked over at Christy Jo and asked, “Am I going to die?”</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe simply laughed at me as she always does.  I guess she thought I was joking.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then the strangest thing happened…\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI started to feel ENERGIZED and like I CAN DO THIS!  This spin rebirth occurred partly from the uber-bright-eyed and bushy-tailed instructor with The Most Sculpted Arms in the State of Arizona, and partly from me remembering that I always feel winded for the first 5 minutes of a workout.  After 5 minutes, I am set and raring to go!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI pedaled.  I surged.  I sprinted.  I was up and down, up and down. I got down low to go \"through the tunnel\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6529\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Reenacting the Famous Tunnels of Tuscany\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900351.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6529\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900351-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe instructor shared with us newbies that there is no shame in taking a break.  Break schmeak!  I kept spinning my little heart out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Christy Jo looked over again with an appalled expression.  “Do you sweat???”</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow <em>I</em> was the one laughing.  “I’ve never been much of a sweaty person.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHe he he.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter cycling through what I am sure was the equivalent of 20 miles of Tuscan hills, Ms. Sculpted Arms AZ congratulated us for showing up early and starting our day with a challenging workout.  With this jump start, we were now guaranteed to have a fantastic day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou know what?  She was absolutely right!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCoasting on my endorphin high, I stopped by the front desk to inquire about month-to-month membership pricing.  It might not be a bad idea to continue spinning my way towards my Italian adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe young woman (I’m guessing around 18) at the front desk pointed out the pricing for the various age brackets.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>She then pointed to the first age bracket labeled “18-27” and ASKED IF WAS 27!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat’s it!  SOLD to the 18 year-old at the front desk!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf spinning shaves 14 (?) years off of my life after one class, then I am in for LIFE!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever taken a spin class?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 286:  Spinning My Way to Italy','','inherit','open','open','','6497-revision-13','','','2011-07-14 21:19:05','2011-07-15 04:19:05','',6497,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/14/6497-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(6575,1,'2011-07-14 21:22:08','2011-07-15 04:22:08','[caption id=\"attachment_6528\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"You don&#39;t want to see me first thing in the a.m. without a stitch of makeup. Trust me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900341.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6528\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900341-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIn two months, I embark on an adventure of a lifetime.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI arrive in Florence and meet up with my beloved cousins.  We will then join <strong><a href=\"http://vbt.com\" target=\"_blank\">Vermont Bicycle Tours</a></strong> and cycle our way through the hills and seaside of Tuscany to Rome.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am fit and ready for the challenge!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSort of..  I don’t own a bicycle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich, now that I think of it, is really sad considering that my parents couldn’t get me<em> off</em> of my bicycle when I was a kid.  I need to rethink this in the near future.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the immediate future, I need to regularly get my tuckus on a cycle pronto.  Since it’s currently 110 in the shade, I will need to get my tuckus on a cycle indoors.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMindlessly sitting on an exercise bicycle holds zero appeal for me.  I therefore asked Christy Jo if I could accompany her to my first ever spin class at her gym.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>She’s only been asking me to do this for a few years.  But now with my tuckus at stake, I thought it was time.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was a bit daunted by the whole thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst of all, the weekend spin classes start at 8 a.m. which is suitable for Christy Jo because she is a mother.  Mothers awaken early with their children.  Childless women enjoy the luxury of rolling out of bed at 8 – 8:30 a.m. to walk their dogs.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Secondly, spin classes are touted as being the Hardest Workout in the History of Man and Womankind. </span></strong></span> At least “spin people” refer to it this way.  I’m fit, but I’m no Olympian.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThirdly, I was stepping foot into a gym for the first time in 3 years.  I could not show up in my old, dingy workout clothes worn during my home workouts.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/07/day-280-need-inspiration-shop-for-a-sports-bra/\" target=\"_blank\">Luckily, I remedied this problem at Lululemon one week prior.</a>  </strong>Whew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBleary-eyed and less-than-bushytailed, I arrived at the gym between 7:45 - 7:50 on Saturday morning to find an ultra-chipper Christy Jo and her cutie pie of a kid.  They obviously had been up for 3 hours and had eaten their Cheerios.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe entered the CROWDED tiny room packed full of spin bikes.  <span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>These suburbanites obviously all have 2.2 kids and are early weekend risers.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter 5-10 minutes of Christy Jo fine tuning my bike to adjust for my 5’2 and ¾ inch frame, we started pedaling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music was LOUD.  This boded well for me.  I am the typical GenXer who undoubtedly suffers some sort of hearing loss from blaring their Sony Walkman through early adulthood.  I like my music to rattle the windows.  The louder the music, the more motivated the Late Bloomer.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAND!!!!  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/12/day-284-listening-to-more-recent-and-i-use-that-phrase-loosely-music/\" target=\"_blank\">To suit my penchant for pre-1987 tunes</a></strong>, the first song was Michael Jackson’s “Black and White” which graces my list of Top 10 Favorite Pop Songs.  I was ready to tackle my imaginary hills and SPIN!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy enthusiasm at the start dwindled during the warm-up.  My legs started to feel like toast approximately 5 minutes in.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I looked over at Christy Jo and asked, “Am I going to die?”</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe simply laughed at me as she always does.  I guess she thought I was joking.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then the strangest thing happened…\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI started to feel ENERGIZED and like I CAN DO THIS!  This spin rebirth occurred partly from the uber-bright-eyed and bushy-tailed instructor with The Most Sculpted Arms in the State of Arizona (how could you not feel motivated?), and partly from me remembering that I always feel winded for the first 5 minutes of a workout.  After 5 minutes, I am set and raring to go!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI pedaled.  I surged.  I sprinted.  I was up and down, up and down. I got down low to go \"through the tunnel\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6529\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Reenacting the Famous Tunnels of Tuscany\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900351.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6529\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900351-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe instructor shared with us newbies that there is no shame in taking a break.  Break schmeak!  I kept spinning my little heart out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Christy Jo looked over again with an appalled expression.  “Do you sweat???”</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow <em>I</em> was the one laughing.  “I’ve never been much of a sweaty person.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHeh heh heh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter cycling through what I am sure was the equivalent of 20 miles of Tuscan hills, Ms. Sculpted Arms AZ congratulated us for showing up early and starting our day with a challenging workout.  With this jump start, we were now guaranteed to have a fantastic day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou know what?  She was absolutely right!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCoasting on my endorphin high, I stopped by the front desk to inquire about month-to-month membership pricing.  It might not be a bad idea to continue spinning my way towards my Italian adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe young woman (I’m guessing around 18) at the front desk pointed out the pricing for the various age brackets.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>She then pointed to the first age bracket labeled “18-27” and ASKED IF WAS 27!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat’s it!  SOLD to the 18 year-old at the front desk!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf spinning shaves 14 years off of my life after one class, then I am in for LIFE!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever taken a spin class?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 286:  Spinning My Way to Italy','','inherit','open','open','','6497-revision-14','','','2011-07-14 21:22:08','2011-07-15 04:22:08','',6497,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/14/6497-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(6576,1,'2011-07-14 21:25:05','2011-07-15 04:25:05','[caption id=\"attachment_6528\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I do many things for this blog, but I am not revealing my rolled-out-of-bed look. I draw the line. :-p.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900341.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6528 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900341-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIn two months, I embark on an adventure of a lifetime.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI arrive in Florence and meet up with my beloved cousins.  We will then join <strong><a href=\"http://vbt.com\" target=\"_blank\">Vermont Bicycle Tours</a></strong> and cycle our way through the hills and seaside of Tuscany to Rome.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am fit and ready for the challenge!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSort of..  I don’t own a bicycle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich, now that I think of it, is really sad considering that my parents couldn’t get me<em> off</em> of my bicycle when I was a kid.  I need to rethink this in the near future.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the immediate future, I need to regularly get my tuckus on a cycle pronto.  Since it’s currently 110 in the shade, I will need to get my tuckus on a cycle indoors.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMindlessly sitting on an exercise bicycle holds zero appeal for me.  I therefore asked Christy Jo if I could accompany her to my first ever spin class at her gym.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>She’s only been asking me to do this for a few years.  But now with my tuckus at stake, I thought it was time.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was a bit daunted by the whole thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst of all, the weekend spin classes start at 8 a.m. which is suitable for Christy Jo because she is a mother.  Mothers awaken early with their children.  Childless women enjoy the luxury of rolling out of bed at 8 – 8:30 a.m. to walk their dogs.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Secondly, spin classes are touted as being the Hardest Workout in the History of Man and Womankind. </span></strong></span> At least “spin people” refer to it this way.  I’m fit, but I’m no Olympian.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThirdly, I was stepping foot into a gym for the first time in 3 years.  I could not show up in my old, dingy workout clothes worn during my home workouts.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/07/day-280-need-inspiration-shop-for-a-sports-bra/\" target=\"_blank\">Luckily, I remedied this problem at Lululemon one week prior.</a>  </strong>Whew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBleary-eyed and less-than-bushytailed, I arrived at the gym between 7:45 - 7:50 on Saturday morning to find an ultra-chipper Christy Jo and her cutie pie of a kid.  They obviously had been up for 3 hours and had eaten their Cheerios.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe entered the CROWDED tiny room packed full of spin bikes.  <span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>These suburbanites obviously all have 2.2 kids and are early weekend risers.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter 5-10 minutes of Christy Jo fine tuning my bike to adjust for my 5’2 and ¾ inch frame, we started pedaling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music was LOUD.  This boded well for me.  I am the typical GenXer who undoubtedly suffers some sort of hearing loss from blaring their Sony Walkman through early adulthood.  I like my music to rattle the windows.  The louder the music, the more motivated the Late Bloomer.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAND!!!!  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/12/day-284-listening-to-more-recent-and-i-use-that-phrase-loosely-music/\" target=\"_blank\">To suit my penchant for pre-1987 tunes</a></strong>, the first song was Michael Jackson’s “Black and White” which graces my list of Top 10 Favorite Pop Songs.  I was ready to tackle my imaginary hills and SPIN!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy enthusiasm at the start dwindled during the warm-up.  My legs started to feel like toast approximately 5 minutes in.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I looked over at Christy Jo and asked, “Am I going to die?”</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe simply laughed at me as she always does.  I guess she thought I was joking.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then the strangest thing happened…\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI started to feel ENERGIZED and like I CAN DO THIS!  This spin rebirth occurred partly from the uber-bright-eyed and bushy-tailed instructor with The Most Sculpted Arms in the State of Arizona (how could you not feel motivated?), and partly from me remembering that I always feel winded for the first 5 minutes of a workout.  After 5 minutes, I am set and raring to go!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI pedaled.  I surged.  I sprinted.  I was up and down, up and down. I got down low to go \"through the tunnel\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6529\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Reenacting the Famous Tunnels of Tuscany\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900351.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6529\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900351-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe instructor shared with us newbies that there is no shame in taking a break.  Break schmeak!  I kept spinning my little heart out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Christy Jo looked over again with an appalled expression.  “Do you sweat???”</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow <em>I</em> was the one laughing.  “I’ve never been much of a sweaty person.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHeh heh heh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter cycling through what I am sure was the equivalent of 20 miles of Tuscan hills, Ms. Sculpted Arms AZ congratulated us for showing up early and starting our day with a challenging workout.  With this jump start, we were now guaranteed to have a fantastic day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou know what?  She was absolutely right!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCoasting on my endorphin high, I stopped by the front desk to inquire about month-to-month membership pricing.  It might not be a bad idea to continue spinning my way towards my Italian adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe young woman (I’m guessing around 18) at the front desk pointed out the pricing for the various age brackets.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>She then pointed to the first age bracket labeled “18-27” and ASKED IF WAS 27!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat’s it!  SOLD to the 18 year-old at the front desk!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf spinning shaves 14 years off of my life after one class, then I am in for LIFE!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever taken a spin class?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 286:  Spinning My Way to Italy','','inherit','open','open','','6497-revision-15','','','2011-07-14 21:25:05','2011-07-15 04:25:05','',6497,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/14/6497-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(6577,1,'2011-07-14 21:25:40','2011-07-15 04:25:40','[caption id=\"attachment_6528\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I do many things for this blog, but I am not revealing my rolled-out-of-bed look. I draw the line. :-p\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900341.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6528  \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900341-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIn two months, I embark on an adventure of a lifetime.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI arrive in Florence and meet up with my beloved cousins.  We will then join <strong><a href=\"http://vbt.com\" target=\"_blank\">Vermont Bicycle Tours</a></strong> and cycle our way through the hills and seaside of Tuscany to Rome.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am fit and ready for the challenge!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSort of..  I don’t own a bicycle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich, now that I think of it, is really sad considering that my parents couldn’t get me<em> off</em> of my bicycle when I was a kid.  I need to rethink this in the near future.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the immediate future, I need to regularly get my tuckus on a cycle pronto.  Since it’s currently 110 in the shade, I will need to get my tuckus on a cycle indoors.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMindlessly sitting on an exercise bicycle holds zero appeal for me.  I therefore asked Christy Jo if I could accompany her to my first ever spin class at her gym.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>She’s only been asking me to do this for a few years.  But now with my tuckus at stake, I thought it was time.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was a bit daunted by the whole thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst of all, the weekend spin classes start at 8 a.m. which is suitable for Christy Jo because she is a mother.  Mothers awaken early with their children.  Childless women enjoy the luxury of rolling out of bed at 8 – 8:30 a.m. to walk their dogs.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Secondly, spin classes are touted as being the Hardest Workout in the History of Man and Womankind. </span></strong></span> At least “spin people” refer to it this way.  I’m fit, but I’m no Olympian.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThirdly, I was stepping foot into a gym for the first time in 3 years.  I could not show up in my old, dingy workout clothes worn during my home workouts.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/07/day-280-need-inspiration-shop-for-a-sports-bra/\" target=\"_blank\">Luckily, I remedied this problem at Lululemon one week prior.</a>  </strong>Whew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBleary-eyed and less-than-bushytailed, I arrived at the gym between 7:45 - 7:50 on Saturday morning to find an ultra-chipper Christy Jo and her cutie pie of a kid.  They obviously had been up for 3 hours and had eaten their Cheerios.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe entered the CROWDED tiny room packed full of spin bikes.  <span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>These suburbanites obviously all have 2.2 kids and are early weekend risers.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter 5-10 minutes of Christy Jo fine tuning my bike to adjust for my 5’2 and ¾ inch frame, we started pedaling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music was LOUD.  This boded well for me.  I am the typical GenXer who undoubtedly suffers some sort of hearing loss from blaring their Sony Walkman through early adulthood.  I like my music to rattle the windows.  The louder the music, the more motivated the Late Bloomer.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAND!!!!  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/12/day-284-listening-to-more-recent-and-i-use-that-phrase-loosely-music/\" target=\"_blank\">To suit my penchant for pre-1987 tunes</a></strong>, the first song was Michael Jackson’s “Black and White” which graces my list of Top 10 Favorite Pop Songs.  I was ready to tackle my imaginary hills and SPIN!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy enthusiasm at the start dwindled during the warm-up.  My legs started to feel like toast approximately 5 minutes in.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I looked over at Christy Jo and asked, “Am I going to die?”</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe simply laughed at me as she always does.  I guess she thought I was joking.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then the strangest thing happened…\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI started to feel ENERGIZED and like I CAN DO THIS!  This spin rebirth occurred partly from the uber-bright-eyed and bushy-tailed instructor with The Most Sculpted Arms in the State of Arizona (how could you not feel motivated?), and partly from me remembering that I always feel winded for the first 5 minutes of a workout.  After 5 minutes, I am set and raring to go!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI pedaled.  I surged.  I sprinted.  I was up and down, up and down. I got down low to go \"through the tunnel\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6529\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Reenacting the Famous Tunnels of Tuscany\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900351.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6529\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900351-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe instructor shared with us newbies that there is no shame in taking a break.  Break schmeak!  I kept spinning my little heart out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Christy Jo looked over again with an appalled expression.  “Do you sweat???”</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow <em>I</em> was the one laughing.  “I’ve never been much of a sweaty person.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHeh heh heh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter cycling through what I am sure was the equivalent of 20 miles of Tuscan hills, Ms. Sculpted Arms AZ congratulated us for showing up early and starting our day with a challenging workout.  With this jump start, we were now guaranteed to have a fantastic day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou know what?  She was absolutely right!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCoasting on my endorphin high, I stopped by the front desk to inquire about month-to-month membership pricing.  It might not be a bad idea to continue spinning my way towards my Italian adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe young woman (I’m guessing around 18) at the front desk pointed out the pricing for the various age brackets.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>She then pointed to the first age bracket labeled “18-27” and ASKED IF WAS 27!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat’s it!  SOLD to the 18 year-old at the front desk!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf spinning shaves 14 years off of my life after one class, then I am in for LIFE!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever taken a spin class?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 286:  Spinning My Way to Italy','','inherit','open','open','','6497-revision-16','','','2011-07-14 21:25:40','2011-07-15 04:25:40','',6497,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/14/6497-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(6578,1,'2011-07-14 21:26:31','2011-07-15 04:26:31','[caption id=\"attachment_6528\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I do many things for this blog, but I am not revealing my rolled-out-of-bed look. I draw the line. :-p\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900341.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6528  \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900341-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIn two months, I embark on an adventure of a lifetime.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI arrive in Florence and meet up with my beloved cousins.  We will then join <strong><a href=\"http://vbt.com\" target=\"_blank\">Vermont Bicycle Tours</a></strong> and cycle our way through the hills and seaside of Tuscany to Rome.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am fit and ready for the challenge!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSort of.  I don’t own a bicycle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhich, now that I think of it, is really sad considering that my parents couldn’t get me<em> off</em> of my bicycle when I was a kid.  I need to rethink this in the near future.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the immediate future, I need to regularly get my tuckus on a cycle pronto.  Since it’s currently 110 in the shade, I will need to get my tuckus on a cycle indoors.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMindlessly sitting on an exercise bicycle holds zero appeal for me.  I therefore asked Christy Jo if I could accompany her to my first ever spin class at her gym.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>She’s only been asking me to do this for a few years.  But now with my tuckus at stake, I thought it was time.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was a bit daunted by the whole thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFirst of all, the weekend spin classes start at 8 a.m. which is suitable for Christy Jo because she is a mother.  Mothers awaken early with their children.  Childless women enjoy the luxury of rolling out of bed at 8 – 8:30 a.m. to walk their dogs.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Secondly, spin classes are touted as being the Hardest Workout in the History of Man and Womankind. </span></strong></span> At least “spin people” refer to it this way.  I’m fit, but I’m no Olympian.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThirdly, I was stepping foot into a gym for the first time in 3 years.  I could not show up in my old, dingy workout clothes worn during my home workouts.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/07/day-280-need-inspiration-shop-for-a-sports-bra/\" target=\"_blank\">Luckily, I remedied this problem at Lululemon one week prior.</a>  </strong>Whew!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBleary-eyed and less-than-bushytailed, I arrived at the gym between 7:45 - 7:50 on Saturday morning to find an ultra-chipper Christy Jo and her cutie pie of a kid.  They obviously had been up for 3 hours and had eaten their Cheerios.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe entered the CROWDED tiny room packed full of spin bikes.  <span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>These suburbanites obviously all have 2.2 kids and are early weekend risers.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter 5-10 minutes of Christy Jo fine tuning my bike to adjust for my 5’2 and ¾ inch frame, we started pedaling.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music was LOUD.  This boded well for me.  I am the typical GenXer who undoubtedly suffers some sort of hearing loss from blaring their Sony Walkman through early adulthood.  I like my music to rattle the windows.  The louder the music, the more motivated the Late Bloomer.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAND!!!!  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/12/day-284-listening-to-more-recent-and-i-use-that-phrase-loosely-music/\" target=\"_blank\">To suit my penchant for pre-1987 tunes</a></strong>, the first song was Michael Jackson’s “Black and White” which graces my list of Top 10 Favorite Pop Songs.  I was ready to tackle my imaginary hills and SPIN!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy enthusiasm at the start dwindled during the warm-up.  My legs started to feel like toast approximately 5 minutes in.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>I looked over at Christy Jo and asked, “Am I going to die?”</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe simply laughed at me as she always does.  I guess she thought I was joking.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then the strangest thing happened…\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI started to feel ENERGIZED and like I CAN DO THIS!  This spin rebirth occurred partly from the uber-bright-eyed and bushy-tailed instructor with The Most Sculpted Arms in the State of Arizona (how could you not feel motivated?), and partly from me remembering that I always feel winded for the first 5 minutes of a workout.  After 5 minutes, I am set and raring to go!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI pedaled.  I surged.  I sprinted.  I was up and down, up and down. I got down low to go \"through the tunnel\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6529\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Reenacting the Famous Tunnels of Tuscany\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900351.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6529\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P70900351-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe instructor shared with us newbies that there is no shame in taking a break.  Break schmeak!  I kept spinning my little heart out.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Christy Jo looked over again with an appalled expression.  “Do you sweat???”</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow <em>I</em> was the one laughing.  “I’ve never been much of a sweaty person.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHeh heh heh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter cycling through what I am sure was the equivalent of 20 miles of Tuscan hills, Ms. Sculpted Arms AZ congratulated us for showing up early and starting our day with a challenging workout.  With this jump start, we were now guaranteed to have a fantastic day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou know what?  She was absolutely right!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCoasting on my endorphin high, I stopped by the front desk to inquire about month-to-month membership pricing.  It might not be a bad idea to continue spinning my way towards my Italian adventure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe young woman (I’m guessing around 18) at the front desk pointed out the pricing for the various age brackets.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>She then pointed to the first age bracket labeled “18-27” and ASKED IF WAS 27!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThat’s it!  SOLD to the 18 year-old at the front desk!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf spinning shaves 14 years off of my life after one class, then I am in for LIFE!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever taken a spin class?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 286:  Spinning My Way to Italy','','inherit','open','open','','6497-revision-17','','','2011-07-14 21:26:31','2011-07-15 04:26:31','',6497,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/14/6497-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(6710,1,'2011-07-24 01:11:35','2011-07-24 08:11:35','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230016.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6742\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7230016-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>I\'ve done it!  I created my Mondo Beyondo List!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=121586&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=175709\" target=\"ejejcsingle\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo</strong></a> is all about voicing and honoring your BIGGEST, most wildly passionate dreams.  We are encouraged to get silly and outrageous.  Twist my arm! ;-)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have no problems allowing my imagination to run amuck, so my finished List was four journal pages front and back.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe have been asked to keep The List private at this time.  In fact, we\'ve sealed it away in an envelope for a week.  I\'m curious to see how we\'ll revisit our lists.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, I\'m content in allowing my dreams to brew.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is your most wildly passionate dream?  If you feel comfortable, please share below.  If not, write your dreams down in private to start the brewing process.','Day 296:  Making a List.  Not Checking It Twice.  ','','publish','open','open','','day-296-making-a-list-not-checking-it-twice','','','2011-07-23 16:12:40','2011-07-23 23:12:40','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=6710',0,'post','',3),(6583,1,'2011-07-15 10:00:22','2011-07-15 17:00:22','','Day 287:  Repeat of My First Concert Ever','','inherit','open','open','','6582-revision','','','2011-07-15 10:00:22','2011-07-15 17:00:22','',6582,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/15/6582-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(6741,1,'2011-07-23 15:47:27','2011-07-23 22:47:27','','Day 297:  I Trekked Across Nepal','','inherit','open','open','','6740-revision','','','2011-07-23 15:47:27','2011-07-23 22:47:27','',6740,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/23/6740-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(6585,1,'2011-07-15 12:46:50','2011-07-15 19:46:50','Do you remember your first concert?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho did you see?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPeople are always surprised to hear mine.  Def Leppard.  The Pyromania Tour.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI guess it’s because I seem a bit too “refined” for Def Leppard.  <strong>My rebel self</strong> is amused by this.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo say that I was obsessed with Def Leppard as a kid is an understatement.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI recorded their videos off of MTV and watched (and paused) them hundreds of times.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was madly in love with lead singer, Joe Elliott, and knew the names and trivia surrounding him and all of the other band members.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy 45 record case was decorated with their names, instruments, and song titles with their signature Def Leppard lettering in silver paint pen.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was also a mousy, mostly quiet, straight-A student who was not your typical Def Leppard worshipper.  I suppose that the rebel in me was just starting basic training.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn 1983, I showed up with my sister, my best friend, Carolyn, and Mr. Colella (who stepped in for my dad due to an emergency hospital stay) to see Def Leppard and opening act Jon Butcher Axis (who honestly, I don’t remember at all.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI donned a typical confused 80s fashion statement of parachute pants, union jack sleeveless shirt, and pink &amp; black Vans.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI can’t recall what Ca and Jennie (then Jenny) wore, but I am sure they were a sight as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAh, memories…\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can imagine my reaction when I heard on the radio a few months back that Def Leppard would soon be touring with Heart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI audibly gasped.  It’s a miracle that I managed to continue driving.  HEART???\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Barracuda” is my very first musical memory.  I must have been about 4 years-old at the annual Fireman’s Carnival in Southampton, NY.  I was spellbound watching a scary ride where the people were strapped in while standing up.  The “wheel” started spinning on a horizontal plane and then rotated to a vertical plane.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDo you know which ride I’m talking about?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhile this Wheel of Terror spun wildly with screaming riders, the guitar riff of “Barracuda” blared through the carnival sound system.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEvery time I heard “Barracuda” after that, I was creeped out.  (My parents were big listeners of rock.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil I heard “Dog and Butterfly” for the first time.  I was a Heart fan from then on.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFast forward to present day and my car “moment” upon hearing the Def Leppard/Heart double bill…\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNone of my friends seemed as excited as me.  No one bit when I mentioned purchasing tickets.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI even bribed Kim C.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“I’ll go to Journey with you, if you go to Def Leppard with me!” (This is a big deal for me considering that in my mind, Journey is not Journey without Powerful Portuguese Man aka Steve Perry fronting the band.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nKim C. smirked back at me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Please?”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSmirk.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Think about it?”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSmirk.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUgh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k., o.k.  So not everyone loves Def Leppard as much as me after nearly 30 years.  I get it!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy Friend Who Shall Remain Anonymous nearly skyrocketed out of her seat when I mentioned the double bill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe blurted, “I WILL GO WITH YOU!!!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe secured our tickets on Day 287.  I will relive my First Concert Ever on Day 330-ish.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI’m not the only one after nearly 30 years.  “smart teenagers.  12 year olds.\n\n&nbsp;','Day 287:  Repeat of My First Concert Ever','','inherit','open','open','','6582-revision-2','','','2011-07-15 12:46:50','2011-07-15 19:46:50','',6582,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/15/6582-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(6586,1,'2011-07-15 12:53:32','2011-07-15 19:53:32','Do you remember your first concert?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho did you see?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPeople are always surprised to hear mine.  Def Leppard.  The Pyromania Tour.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI guess it’s because I seem a bit too “refined” for Def Leppard.  <strong>My rebel self</strong> is amused by this.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo say that I was obsessed with Def Leppard as a kid is an understatement.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI recorded their videos off of MTV and watched (and paused) them hundreds of times.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was madly in love with lead singer, Joe Elliott, and knew the names and trivia surrounding him and all of the other band members.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy 45 record case was decorated with their names, instruments, and song titles with their signature Def Leppard lettering in silver paint pen.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was also a mousy, mostly quiet, straight-A student who was not your typical Def Leppard worshipper.  I suppose that the rebel in me was just starting basic training.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn 1983, I showed up with my sister, my best friend, Carolyn, and Mr. Colella (who stepped in for my dad due to an emergency hospital stay) to see Def Leppard and opening act Jon Butcher Axis (who honestly, I don’t remember at all.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI donned a typical confused 80s fashion statement of parachute pants, union jack sleeveless shirt, and pink &amp; black Vans.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI can’t recall what Ca and Jennie (then Jenny) wore, but I am sure they were a sight as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAh, memories…\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can imagine my reaction when I heard on the radio a few months back that Def Leppard would soon be touring with Heart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI audibly gasped.  It’s a miracle that I managed to continue driving.  HEART???\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Barracuda” is my very first musical memory.  I must have been about 4 years-old at the annual Fireman’s Carnival in Southampton, NY.  I was spellbound watching a scary ride where the people were strapped in while standing up.  The “wheel” started spinning on a horizontal plane and then rotated to a vertical plane.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDo you know which ride I’m talking about?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhile this Wheel of Terror spun wildly with screaming riders, the guitar riff of “Barracuda” blared through the carnival sound system.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEvery time I heard “Barracuda” after that, I was creeped out.  (My parents were big listeners of rock.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil I heard “Dog and Butterfly” for the first time.  I was a Heart fan from then on.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFast forward to present day and my car “moment” upon hearing the Def Leppard/Heart double bill…\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNone of my friends seemed as excited as me.  No one bit when I mentioned purchasing tickets.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI even bribed Kim C.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“I’ll go to Journey with you, if you go to Def Leppard with me!” (This is a big deal for me considering that in my mind, Journey is not Journey without Powerful Portuguese Man aka Steve Perry fronting the band.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nKim C. smirked back at me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Please?”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSmirk.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Think about it?”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSmirk.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUgh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k., o.k.  So not everyone loves Def Leppard as much as me after nearly 30 years.  I get it!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy Friend Who Shall Remain Anonymous nearly skyrocketed out of her seat when I mentioned the double bill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe blurted, “I WILL GO WITH YOU!!!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe secured our tickets on Day 287.  I will relive my First Concert Ever on Day 330-ish.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh.  And I\'ve since discovered that I and FWSRA\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI’m not the only one after nearly 30 years.  “smart teenagers.  12 year olds.\n\n&nbsp;','Day 287:  Repeat of My First Concert Ever','','inherit','open','open','','6582-revision-3','','','2011-07-15 12:53:32','2011-07-15 19:53:32','',6582,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/15/6582-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(6587,1,'2011-07-15 13:02:32','2011-07-15 20:02:32','Do you remember your first concert?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho did you see?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPeople are always surprised to hear mine.  Def Leppard.  The Pyromania Tour.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI guess it’s because I seem a bit too “refined” for Def Leppard.  <strong>My rebel self</strong> is amused by this.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo say that I was obsessed with Def Leppard as a kid is an understatement.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI recorded their videos off of MTV and watched (and paused) them hundreds of times.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was madly in love with lead singer, Joe Elliott, and knew the names and trivia surrounding him and all of the other band members.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy 45 record case was decorated with their names, instruments, and song titles with their signature Def Leppard lettering in silver paint pen.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was also a mousy, mostly quiet, straight-A student who was not your typical Def Leppard worshipper.  I suppose that the rebel in me was just starting basic training.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn 1983, I showed up with my sister, my best friend, Carolyn, and Mr. Colella (who stepped in for my dad due to an emergency hospital stay) to see Def Leppard and opening act Jon Butcher Axis (who honestly, I don’t remember at all.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI donned a typical confused 80s fashion statement of parachute pants, union jack sleeveless shirt, and pink &amp; black Vans.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI can’t recall what Ca and Jennie (then Jenny) wore, but I am sure they were a sight as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAh, memories…\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can imagine my reaction when I heard on the radio a few months back that Def Leppard would soon be touring with Heart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI audibly gasped.  It’s a miracle that I managed to continue driving.  HEART???\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Barracuda” is my very first musical memory.  I must have been about 4 years-old at the annual Fireman’s Carnival in Southampton, NY.  I was spellbound watching a scary ride where the people were strapped in while standing up.  The “wheel” started spinning on a horizontal plane and then rotated to a vertical plane.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDo you know which ride I’m talking about?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhile this Wheel of Terror spun wildly with screaming riders, the guitar riff of “Barracuda” blared through the carnival sound system.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEvery time I heard “Barracuda” after that, I was creeped out.  (My parents were big listeners of rock.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil I heard “Dog and Butterfly” for the first time.  I was a Heart fan from then on.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFast forward to present day and my car “moment” upon hearing the Def Leppard/Heart double bill…\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNone of my friends seemed as excited as me.  No one bit when I mentioned purchasing tickets.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI even bribed Kim C.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“I’ll go to Journey with you, if you go to Def Leppard with me!” (This is a big deal for me considering that in my mind, Journey is not Journey without Powerful Portuguese Man aka Steve Perry fronting the band.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nKim C. smirked back at me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Please?”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSmirk.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Think about it?”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSmirk.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUgh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k., o.k.  So not everyone loves Def Leppard as much as me after nearly 30 years.  I get it!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy Friend Who Shall Remain Anonymous nearly skyrocketed out of her seat when I mentioned the double bill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe blurted, “I WILL GO WITH YOU!!!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe secured our tickets on Day 287.  I will relive my First Concert Ever on Day 330-ish.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh.  And I\'ve since discovered that I and FWSRA are by  no means the only fans still crazy for Def Lep after all of these years.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTake a look at the YouTube comments for <strong><a href=\"http://youtu.be/YI6Ms0b4q-4\" target=\"_blank\">Armageddon It</a></strong>.  (1.1 million views!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"I\'m 12 and I get to go see them on August 27th with my parents with Heart!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"14 AND LOVING THIS SONG!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy personal favorite:  \"Smart teenagers are still alive.  I like it.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSmart teens and Smart Late Bloomies.  Yes, indeed.  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAre you/were you a Def Leppard fan?  Hea\n\n&nbsp;','Day 287:  Repeat of My First Concert Ever','','inherit','open','open','','6582-revision-4','','','2011-07-15 13:02:32','2011-07-15 20:02:32','',6582,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/15/6582-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(6588,1,'2011-07-15 16:39:53','2011-07-15 23:39:53','','RH000015-1','Def Leppard Then','inherit','open','open','','rh000015-1','','','2011-07-15 16:39:53','2011-07-15 23:39:53','',6582,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6589,1,'2011-07-15 16:40:49','2011-07-15 23:40:49','[caption id=\"attachment_6588\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"200\" caption=\"Def Leppard Then\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6588\" title=\"RH000015-1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nDo you remember your first concert?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho did you see?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPeople are always surprised to hear mine.  Def Leppard.  The Pyromania Tour.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI guess it’s because I seem a bit too “refined” for Def Leppard.  <strong>My rebel self</strong> is amused by this.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo say that I was obsessed with Def Leppard as a kid is an understatement.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI recorded their videos off of MTV and watched (and paused) them hundreds of times.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was madly in love with lead singer, Joe Elliott, and knew the names and trivia surrounding him and all of the other band members.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy 45 record case was decorated with their names, instruments, and song titles with their signature Def Leppard lettering in silver paint pen.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was also a mousy, mostly quiet, straight-A student who was not your typical Def Leppard worshipper.  I suppose that the rebel in me was just starting basic training.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn 1983, I showed up with my sister, my best friend, Carolyn, and Mr. Colella (who stepped in for my dad due to an emergency hospital stay) to see Def Leppard and opening act Jon Butcher Axis (who honestly, I don’t remember at all.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI donned a typical confused 80s fashion statement of parachute pants, union jack sleeveless shirt, and pink &amp; black Vans.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI can’t recall what Ca and Jennie (then Jenny) wore, but I am sure they were a sight as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAh, memories…\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can imagine my reaction when I heard on the radio a few months back that Def Leppard would soon be touring with Heart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI audibly gasped.  It’s a miracle that I managed to continue driving.  HEART???\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Barracuda” is my very first musical memory.  I must have been about 4 years-old at the annual Fireman’s Carnival in Southampton, NY.  I was spellbound watching a scary ride where the people were strapped in while standing up.  The “wheel” started spinning on a horizontal plane and then rotated to a vertical plane.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDo you know which ride I’m talking about?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhile this Wheel of Terror spun wildly with screaming riders, the guitar riff of “Barracuda” blared through the carnival sound system.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEvery time I heard “Barracuda” after that, I was creeped out.  (My parents were big listeners of rock.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil I heard “Dog and Butterfly” for the first time.  I was a Heart fan from then on.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFast forward to present day and my car “moment” upon hearing the Def Leppard/Heart double bill…\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNone of my friends seemed as excited as me.  No one bit when I mentioned purchasing tickets.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI even bribed Kim C.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“I’ll go to Journey with you, if you go to Def Leppard with me!” (This is a big deal for me considering that in my mind, Journey is not Journey without Powerful Portuguese Man aka Steve Perry fronting the band.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nKim C. smirked back at me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Please?”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSmirk.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Think about it?”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSmirk.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUgh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k., o.k.  So not everyone loves Def Leppard as much as me after nearly 30 years.  I get it!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy Friend Who Shall Remain Anonymous nearly skyrocketed out of her seat when I mentioned the double bill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe blurted, “I WILL GO WITH YOU!!!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe secured our tickets on Day 287.  I will relive my First Concert Ever on Day 330-ish.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh.  And I\'ve since discovered that I and FWSRA are by  no means the only fans still crazy for Def Lep after all of these years.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTake a look at the YouTube comments for <strong><a href=\"http://youtu.be/YI6Ms0b4q-4\" target=\"_blank\">Armageddon It</a></strong>.  (1.1 million views!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"I\'m 12 and I get to go see them on August 27th with my parents with Heart!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"14 AND LOVING THIS SONG!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy personal favorite:  \"Smart teenagers are still alive.  I like it.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSmart teens AND Smart Late Bloomies.  Yes, indeed.  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAre you/were you a Def Leppard fan?  Heart?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat was your First Concert Ever?','Day 287:  Repeat of My First Concert Ever','','inherit','open','open','','6582-revision-5','','','2011-07-15 16:40:49','2011-07-15 23:40:49','',6582,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/15/6582-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(6590,1,'2011-07-15 16:45:35','2011-07-15 23:45:35','','dlapproved1[1](cropped)','','inherit','open','open','','dlapproved11cropped','','','2011-07-15 16:45:35','2011-07-15 23:45:35','',6582,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/dlapproved11cropped.jpeg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6591,1,'2011-07-15 16:41:12','2011-07-15 23:41:12','[caption id=\"attachment_6588\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"200\" caption=\"Def Leppard Then\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6588\" title=\"RH000015-1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nDo you remember your first concert?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho did you see?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople are always surprised to hear mine.  Def Leppard.  The Pyromania Tour.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI guess it’s because I seem a bit too “refined” for Def Leppard.  <strong>My rebel self</strong> is amused by this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo say that I was obsessed with Def Leppard as a kid is an understatement.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI recorded their videos off of MTV and watched (and paused) them hundreds of times.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was madly in love with lead singer, Joe Elliott, and knew the names and trivia surrounding him and all of the other band members.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy 45 record case was decorated with their names, instruments, and song titles with their signature Def Leppard lettering in silver paint pen.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was also a mousy, mostly quiet, straight-A student who was not your typical Def Leppard worshipper.  I suppose that the rebel in me was just starting basic training.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn 1983, I showed up with my sister, my best friend, Carolyn, and Mr. Colella (who stepped in for my dad due to an emergency hospital stay) to see Def Leppard and opening act Jon Butcher Axis (who honestly, I don’t remember at all.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI donned a typical confused 80s fashion statement of parachute pants, union jack sleeveless shirt, and pink &amp; black Vans.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI can’t recall what Ca and Jennie (then Jenny) wore, but I am sure they were a sight as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAh, memories…\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can imagine my reaction when I heard on the radio a few months back that Def Leppard would soon be touring with Heart.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI audibly gasped.  It’s a miracle that I managed to continue driving.  HEART???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Barracuda” is my very first musical memory.  I must have been about 4 years-old at the annual Fireman’s Carnival in Southampton, NY.  I was spellbound watching a scary ride where the people were strapped in while standing up.  The “wheel” started spinning on a horizontal plane and then rotated to a vertical plane.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you know which ride I’m talking about?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile this Wheel of Terror spun wildly with screaming riders, the guitar riff of “Barracuda” blared through the carnival sound system.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEvery time I heard “Barracuda” after that, I was creeped out.  (My parents were big listeners of rock.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil I heard “Dog and Butterfly” for the first time.  I was a Heart fan from then on.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFast forward to present day and my car “moment” upon hearing the Def Leppard/Heart double bill…\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNone of my friends seemed as excited as me.  No one bit when I mentioned purchasing tickets.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI even bribed Kim C.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“I’ll go to Journey with you, if you go to Def Leppard with me!” (This is a big deal for me considering that in my mind, Journey is not Journey without Powerful Portuguese Man aka Steve Perry fronting the band.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. smirked back at me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Please?”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSmirk.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Think about it?”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSmirk.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUgh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So not everyone loves Def Leppard as much as me after nearly 30 years.  I get it!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Friend Who Shall Remain Anonymous nearly skyrocketed out of her seat when I mentioned the double bill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe blurted, “I WILL GO WITH YOU!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe secured our tickets on Day 287.  I will relive my First Concert Ever on Day 330-ish.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh.  And I\'ve since discovered that I and FWSRA are by  no means the only fans still crazy for Def Lep after all of these years.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTake a look at the YouTube comments for <strong><a href=\"http://youtu.be/YI6Ms0b4q-4\" target=\"_blank\">Armageddon It</a></strong>.  (1.1 million views!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"I\'m 12 and I get to go see them on August 27th with my parents with Heart!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"14 AND LOVING THIS SONG!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy personal favorite:  \"Smart teenagers are still alive.  I like it.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSmart teens AND Smart Late Bloomies.  Yes, indeed.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAre you/were you a Def Leppard fan?  Heart?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat was your First Concert Ever?','Day 287:  Repeat of My First Concert Ever','','inherit','open','open','','6582-revision-6','','','2011-07-15 16:41:12','2011-07-15 23:41:12','',6582,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/15/6582-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(6592,1,'2011-07-15 16:55:50','2011-07-15 23:55:50','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6588 alignnone\" title=\"RH000015-1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" /></a><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-6590\" title=\"dlapproved1[1](cropped)\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/dlapproved11cropped.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" />\r\n\r\nDef Leppard Then and Now\r\n\r\nPhoto Credit:  <strong><a href=\"http://www.defleppard.com/photos/official?page=2\" target=\"_blank\">Ross Halfin</a> &amp; <a href=\"http://www.defleppard.com/photos/official\" target=\"_blank\">Gitte Meldgaard</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you remember your first concert?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho did you see?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople are always surprised to hear mine.  Def Leppard.  The Pyromania Tour.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI guess it’s because I seem a bit too “refined” for Def Leppard.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/02/day-275-my-f-score-is-p-whats-yours/\" target=\"_blank\">My rebel self</a></strong> is amused by this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>To say that I was obsessed with Def Leppard as a kid is an understatement.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI recorded their videos off of MTV and watched (and paused) them hundreds of times.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was madly in love with lead singer, Joe Elliott, and knew the names and trivia surrounding him and all of the other band members.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy 45record case was decorated with their names, instruments, and song titles with their signature Def Leppard lettering in silver paint pen.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was also a mousy, mostly quiet, straight-A student who was not your typical Def Leppard worshipper.  I suppose that the rebel in me was just starting basic training.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn 1983, I showed up with my sister, my best friend, Carolyn, and Mr. Colella (who stepped in for my dad due to an emergency hospital stay) to see Def Leppard and opening act Jon Butcher Axis (who honestly, I don’t remember at all.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>I donned a typical confused 80s fashion statement of parachute pants, union jack sleeveless shirt, and pink &amp; black Vans.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI can’t recall what Ca and Jennie (then Jenny) wore, but I am sure they were a sight as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAh, memories…\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can imagine my reaction when I heard on the radio a few months back that Def Leppard would soon be touring with Heart.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI audibly gasped.  It’s a miracle that I managed to continue driving.  HEART???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Barracuda” is my very first musical memory.  I must have been about 4 years-old at the annual Fireman’s Carnival in Southampton, NY.  I was spellbound watching a scary ride where the people were strapped in while standing up.  The “wheel” started spinning on a horizontal plane and then rotated to a vertical plane.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you know which ride I’m talking about?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile this Wheel of Terror spun wildly with screaming riders, the guitar riff of “Barracuda” blared through the carnival sound system.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEvery time I heard “Barracuda” after that, I was creeped out.  (My parents were big listeners of rock.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil I heard “Dog and Butterfly” for the first time.  I was a Heart fan from then on.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Fast forward to present day and my car “moment” upon hearing the Def Leppard/Heart double bill…</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNone of my friends seemed as excited as me.  No one bit when I mentioned purchasing tickets.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI even bribed Kim C.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“I’ll go to Journey with you, if you go to Def Leppard with me!” (This is a big deal for me considering that in my mind, Journey is not Journey without Powerful Portuguese Man aka Steve Perry fronting the band.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. smirked back at me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Please?”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSmirk.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Think about it?”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSmirk.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUgh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOk, ok.  So not everyone loves Def Leppard as much as me after nearly 30 years.  I get it!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Friend Who Shall Remain Anonymous nearly skyrocketed out of her seat when I mentioned the double bill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe blurted, “I WILL GO WITH YOU!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>We secured our tickets on Day 287.  I will relive my First Concert Ever on Day 330-ish.  </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh.  And I\'ve since discovered that I and FWSRA are by  no means the only fans still crazy for Def Lep after all of these years.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTake a look at the YouTube comments for <strong><a href=\"http://youtu.be/YI6Ms0b4q-4\" target=\"_blank\">Armageddon It</a></strong>.  (1.1 million views!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"I\'m 12 and I get to go see them on August 27th with my parents with Heart!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"14 AND LOVING THIS SONG!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>My personal favorite:  \"Smart teenagers are still alive.  I like it.\"</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSmart teens AND Smart Late Bloomies.  Yes, indeed.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAre you/were you a Def Leppard fan?  Heart?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat was your First Concert Ever?','Day 287:  Repeat of My First Concert Ever','','inherit','open','open','','6582-revision-7','','','2011-07-15 16:55:50','2011-07-15 23:55:50','',6582,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/15/6582-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(6594,1,'2011-07-15 17:01:51','2011-07-16 00:01:51','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6588 alignnone\" title=\"RH000015-1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" /></a><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-6590\" title=\"dlapproved1[1](cropped)\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/dlapproved11cropped.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" />\n\nDef Leppard Then and Now\n\nPhoto Credit:  <strong><a href=\"http://www.defleppard.com/photos/official?page=2\" target=\"_blank\">Ross Halfin</a> &amp; <a href=\"http://www.defleppard.com/photos/official\" target=\"_blank\">Gitte Meldgaard</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDo you remember your first concert?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho did you see?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPeople are always surprised to hear mine.  Def Leppard.  The Pyromania Tour.  I guess it’s because I seem a bit too “refined” for Def Leppard.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/02/day-275-my-f-score-is-p-whats-yours/\" target=\"_blank\">My rebel self</a></strong> is amused by this.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>To say that I was obsessed with Def Leppard as a kid is an understatement.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI recorded their videos off of MTV and watched (and paused) them hundreds of times.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was madly in love with lead singer, Joe Elliott, and knew the names and trivia surrounding him and all of the other band members.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy 45record case was decorated with their names, instruments, and song titles with their signature Def Leppard lettering in silver paint pen.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was also a mousy, mostly quiet, straight-A student who was not your typical Def Leppard worshipper.  I suppose that the rebel in me was just starting basic training.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn 1983, I showed up with my sister, my best friend, Carolyn, and Mr. Colella (who stepped in for my dad due to an emergency hospital stay) to see Def Leppard and opening act Jon Butcher Axis (who honestly, I don’t remember at all.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>I donned a typical confused 80s fashion statement of parachute pants, union jack sleeveless shirt, and pink &amp; black Vans.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI can’t recall what Ca and Jennie (then Jenny) wore, but I am sure they were a sight as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAh, memories…\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can imagine my reaction when I heard on the radio a few months back that Def Leppard would soon be touring with Heart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI audibly gasped.  It’s a miracle that I managed to continue driving.  HEART???\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Barracuda” is my very first musical memory.  I must have been about 4 years-old at the annual Fireman’s Carnival in Southampton, NY.  I was spellbound watching a scary ride where the people were strapped in while standing up.  The “wheel” started spinning on a horizontal plane and then rotated to a vertical plane.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDo you know which ride I’m talking about?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhile this Wheel of Terror spun wildly with screaming riders, the guitar riff of “Barracuda” blared through the carnival sound system.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEvery time I heard “Barracuda” after that, I was creeped out.  (My parents were big listeners of rock.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil I heard “Dog and Butterfly” for the first time.  I was a Heart fan from then on.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Fast forward to present day and my car “moment” upon hearing the Def Leppard/Heart double bill…</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNone of my friends seemed as excited as me.  No one bit when I mentioned purchasing tickets.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI even bribed Kim C.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“I’ll go to Journey with you, if you go to Def Leppard with me!” (This is a big deal for me considering that in my mind, Journey is not Journey without Powerful Portuguese Man aka Steve Perry fronting the band.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nKim C. smirked back at me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Please?”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSmirk.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Think about it?”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSmirk.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUgh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOk, ok.  So not everyone loves Def Leppard as much as me after nearly 30 years.  I get it!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy Friend Who Shall Remain Anonymous nearly skyrocketed out of her seat when I mentioned the double bill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe blurted, “I WILL GO WITH YOU!!!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff0000;\"><strong>We secured our tickets on Day 287.  I will relive my First Concert Ever on Day 330-ish.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh.  And I\'ve since discovered that I and FWSRA are by  no means the only fans still crazy for Def Lep after all of these years.\n\nTake a look at the YouTube comments for <strong><a href=\"http://youtu.be/YI6Ms0b4q-4\" target=\"_blank\">Armageddon It</a></strong>.  (1.1 million views!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"I\'m 12 and I get to go see them on August 27th with my parents with Heart!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"14 AND LOVING THIS SONG!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>M</strong></span><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>y personal favorite:  \"Smart teenagers are still alive.  I like it.\"</strong></span> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSmart teens AND Smart Late Bloomies.  Yes, indeed.  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAre you/were you a Def Leppard fan?  Heart?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat was your First Concert Ever?','Day 287:  Repeat of My First Concert Ever','','inherit','open','open','','6582-revision-9','','','2011-07-15 17:01:51','2011-07-16 00:01:51','',6582,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/15/6582-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(6593,1,'2011-07-15 17:00:15','2011-07-16 00:00:15','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6588 alignnone\" title=\"RH000015-1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" /></a><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-6590\" title=\"dlapproved1[1](cropped)\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/dlapproved11cropped.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" />\r\n\r\nDef Leppard Then and Now\r\n\r\nPhoto Credit:  <strong><a href=\"http://www.defleppard.com/photos/official?page=2\" target=\"_blank\">Ross Halfin</a> &amp; <a href=\"http://www.defleppard.com/photos/official\" target=\"_blank\">Gitte Meldgaard</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you remember your first concert?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho did you see?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople are always surprised to hear mine.  Def Leppard.  The Pyromania Tour.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI guess it’s because I seem a bit too “refined” for Def Leppard.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/02/day-275-my-f-score-is-p-whats-yours/\" target=\"_blank\">My rebel self</a></strong> is amused by this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>To say that I was obsessed with Def Leppard as a kid is an understatement.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI recorded their videos off of MTV and watched (and paused) them hundreds of times.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was madly in love with lead singer, Joe Elliott, and knew the names and trivia surrounding him and all of the other band members.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy 45record case was decorated with their names, instruments, and song titles with their signature Def Leppard lettering in silver paint pen.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was also a mousy, mostly quiet, straight-A student who was not your typical Def Leppard worshipper.  I suppose that the rebel in me was just starting basic training.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn 1983, I showed up with my sister, my best friend, Carolyn, and Mr. Colella (who stepped in for my dad due to an emergency hospital stay) to see Def Leppard and opening act Jon Butcher Axis (who honestly, I don’t remember at all.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>I donned a typical confused 80s fashion statement of parachute pants, union jack sleeveless shirt, and pink &amp; black Vans.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI can’t recall what Ca and Jennie (then Jenny) wore, but I am sure they were a sight as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAh, memories…\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can imagine my reaction when I heard on the radio a few months back that Def Leppard would soon be touring with Heart.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI audibly gasped.  It’s a miracle that I managed to continue driving.  HEART???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Barracuda” is my very first musical memory.  I must have been about 4 years-old at the annual Fireman’s Carnival in Southampton, NY.  I was spellbound watching a scary ride where the people were strapped in while standing up.  The “wheel” started spinning on a horizontal plane and then rotated to a vertical plane.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you know which ride I’m talking about?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile this Wheel of Terror spun wildly with screaming riders, the guitar riff of “Barracuda” blared through the carnival sound system.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEvery time I heard “Barracuda” after that, I was creeped out.  (My parents were big listeners of rock.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil I heard “Dog and Butterfly” for the first time.  I was a Heart fan from then on.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Fast forward to present day and my car “moment” upon hearing the Def Leppard/Heart double bill…</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNone of my friends seemed as excited as me.  No one bit when I mentioned purchasing tickets.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI even bribed Kim C.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“I’ll go to Journey with you, if you go to Def Leppard with me!” (This is a big deal for me considering that in my mind, Journey is not Journey without Powerful Portuguese Man aka Steve Perry fronting the band.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. smirked back at me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Please?”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSmirk.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Think about it?”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSmirk.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUgh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOk, ok.  So not everyone loves Def Leppard as much as me after nearly 30 years.  I get it!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Friend Who Shall Remain Anonymous nearly skyrocketed out of her seat when I mentioned the double bill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe blurted, “I WILL GO WITH YOU!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff0000;\"><strong>We secured our tickets on Day 287.  I will relive my First Concert Ever on Day 330-ish.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh.  And I\'ve since discovered that I and FWSRA are by  no means the only fans still crazy for Def Lep after all of these years.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTake a look at the YouTube comments for <strong><a href=\"http://youtu.be/YI6Ms0b4q-4\" target=\"_blank\">Armageddon It</a></strong>.  (1.1 million views!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"I\'m 12 and I get to go see them on August 27th with my parents with Heart!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"14 AND LOVING THIS SONG!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>M</strong></span><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>y personal favorite:  \"Smart teenagers are still alive.  I like it.\"</strong></span> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSmart teens AND Smart Late Bloomies.  Yes, indeed.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAre you/were you a Def Leppard fan?  Heart?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat was your First Concert Ever?','Day 287:  Repeat of My First Concert Ever','','inherit','open','open','','6582-revision-8','','','2011-07-15 17:00:15','2011-07-16 00:00:15','',6582,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/15/6582-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(6595,1,'2011-07-15 17:01:56','2011-07-16 00:01:56','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6588 alignnone\" title=\"RH000015-1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" /></a><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-6590\" title=\"dlapproved1[1](cropped)\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/dlapproved11cropped.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" />\r\n\r\nDef Leppard Then and Now\r\n\r\nPhoto Credit:  <strong><a href=\"http://www.defleppard.com/photos/official?page=2\" target=\"_blank\">Ross Halfin</a> &amp; <a href=\"http://www.defleppard.com/photos/official\" target=\"_blank\">Gitte Meldgaard</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you remember your first concert?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho did you see?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople are always surprised to hear mine.  Def Leppard.  The Pyromania Tour.  I guess it’s because I seem a bit too “refined” for Def Leppard.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/02/day-275-my-f-score-is-p-whats-yours/\" target=\"_blank\">My rebel self</a></strong> is amused by this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>To say that I was obsessed with Def Leppard as a kid is an understatement.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI recorded their videos off of MTV and watched (and paused) them hundreds of times.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was madly in love with lead singer, Joe Elliott, and knew the names and trivia surrounding him and all of the other band members.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy 45record case was decorated with their names, instruments, and song titles with their signature Def Leppard lettering in silver paint pen.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was also a mousy, mostly quiet, straight-A student who was not your typical Def Leppard worshipper.  I suppose that the rebel in me was just starting basic training.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn 1983, I showed up with my sister, my best friend, Carolyn, and Mr. Colella (who stepped in for my dad due to an emergency hospital stay) to see Def Leppard and opening act Jon Butcher Axis (who honestly, I don’t remember at all.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>I donned a typical confused 80s fashion statement of parachute pants, union jack sleeveless shirt, and pink &amp; black Vans.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI can’t recall what Ca and Jennie (then Jenny) wore, but I am sure they were a sight as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAh, memories…\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can imagine my reaction when I heard on the radio a few months back that Def Leppard would soon be touring with Heart.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI audibly gasped.  It’s a miracle that I managed to continue driving.  HEART???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Barracuda” is my very first musical memory.  I must have been about 4 years-old at the annual Fireman’s Carnival in Southampton, NY.  I was spellbound watching a scary ride where the people were strapped in while standing up.  The “wheel” started spinning on a horizontal plane and then rotated to a vertical plane.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you know which ride I’m talking about?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile this Wheel of Terror spun wildly with screaming riders, the guitar riff of “Barracuda” blared through the carnival sound system.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEvery time I heard “Barracuda” after that, I was creeped out.  (My parents were big listeners of rock.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil I heard “Dog and Butterfly” for the first time.  I was a Heart fan from then on.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Fast forward to present day and my car “moment” upon hearing the Def Leppard/Heart double bill…</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNone of my friends seemed as excited as me.  No one bit when I mentioned purchasing tickets.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI even bribed Kim C.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“I’ll go to Journey with you, if you go to Def Leppard with me!” (This is a big deal for me considering that in my mind, Journey is not Journey without Powerful Portuguese Man aka Steve Perry fronting the band.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. smirked back at me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Please?”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSmirk.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Think about it?”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSmirk.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUgh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOk, ok.  So not everyone loves Def Leppard as much as me after nearly 30 years.  I get it!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Friend Who Shall Remain Anonymous nearly skyrocketed out of her seat when I mentioned the double bill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe blurted, “I WILL GO WITH YOU!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff0000;\"><strong>We secured our tickets on Day 287.  I will relive my First Concert Ever on Day 330-ish.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh.  And I\'ve since discovered that I and FWSRA are by  no means the only fans still crazy for Def Lep after all of these years.\r\n\r\nTake a look at the YouTube comments for <strong><a href=\"http://youtu.be/YI6Ms0b4q-4\" target=\"_blank\">Armageddon It</a></strong>.  (1.1 million views!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"I\'m 12 and I get to go see them on August 27th with my parents with Heart!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"14 AND LOVING THIS SONG!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>M</strong></span><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>y personal favorite:  \"Smart teenagers are still alive.  I like it.\"</strong></span> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSmart teens AND Smart Late Bloomies.  Yes, indeed.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAre you/were you a Def Leppard fan?  Heart?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat was your First Concert Ever?','Day 287:  Repeat of My First Concert Ever','','inherit','open','open','','6582-revision-10','','','2011-07-15 17:01:56','2011-07-16 00:01:56','',6582,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/15/6582-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(6596,1,'2011-07-15 17:03:02','2011-07-16 00:03:02','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6588 alignnone\" title=\"RH000015-1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" /></a><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-6590\" title=\"dlapproved1[1](cropped)\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/dlapproved11cropped.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" />\n\nDef Leppard Then and Now\n\nPhoto Credit:  <strong><a href=\"http://www.defleppard.com/photos/official?page=2\" target=\"_blank\">Ross Halfin</a> &amp; <a href=\"http://www.defleppard.com/photos/official\" target=\"_blank\">Gitte Meldgaard</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDo you remember your first concert?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho did you see?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPeople are always surprised to hear mine.  Def Leppard.  The Pyromania Tour.  I guess it’s because I seem a bit too “refined” for Def Leppard.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/02/day-275-my-f-score-is-p-whats-yours/\" target=\"_blank\">My rebel self</a></strong> is amused by this.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>To say that I was obsessed with Def Leppard as a kid is an understatement.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI recorded their videos off of MTV and watched (and paused) them hundreds of times.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was madly in love with lead singer, Joe Elliott, and knew the names and trivia surrounding him and all of the other band members.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy 45record case was decorated with their names, instruments, and song titles with their signature Def Leppard lettering in silver paint pen.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was also a mousy, mostly quiet, straight-A student who was not your typical Def Leppard worshipper.  I suppose that the rebel in me was just starting basic training.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn 1983, I showed up with my sister, my best friend, Carolyn, and Mr. Colella (who stepped in for my dad due to an emergency hospital stay) to see Def Leppard and opening act Jon Butcher Axis (who honestly, I don’t remember at all.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>I donned a typical confused 80s fashion statement of parachute pants, union jack sleeveless shirt, and pink &amp; black Vans.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI can’t recall what Ca and Jennie (then Jenny) wore, but I am sure they were a sight as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAh, memories…\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can imagine my reaction when I heard on the radio a few months back that Def Leppard would soon be touring with Heart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI audibly gasped.  It’s a miracle that I managed to continue driving.  HEART???\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Barracuda” is my very first musical memory.  I must have been about 4 years-old at the annual Fireman’s Carnival in Southampton, NY.  I was spellbound watching a scary ride where the people were strapped in while standing up.  The “wheel” started spinning on a horizontal plane and then rotated to a vertical plane.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDo you know which ride I’m talking about?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhile this Wheel of Terror spun wildly with screaming riders, the guitar riff of “Barracuda” blared through the carnival sound system.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEvery time I heard “Barracuda” after that, I was creeped out.  (My parents were big listeners of rock.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil I heard “Dog and Butterfly” for the first time.  I was a Heart fan from then on.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Fast forward to present day and my car “moment” upon hearing the Def Leppard/Heart double bill…</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNone of my friends seemed as excited as me.  No one bit when I mentioned purchasing tickets.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI even bribed Kim C.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“I’ll go to Journey with you, if you go to Def Leppard with me!” (This is a big deal for me considering that in my mind, Journey is not Journey without Powerful Portuguese Man aka Steve Perry fronting the band.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nKim C. smirked back at me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Please?”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSmirk.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Think about it?”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSmirk.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUgh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOk, ok.  So not everyone loves Def Leppard as much as me after nearly 30 years.  I get it!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy Friend Who Shall Remain Anonymous nearly skyrocketed out of her seat when I mentioned the double bill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe blurted, “I WILL GO WITH YOU!!!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #ff0000;\"><strong>We secured our tickets on Day 287.  I will relive my First Concert Ever on Day 330-ish.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh.  And I\'ve since discovered that I and FWSRA are by  no means the only fans still crazy for Def Lep after all of these years.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTake a look at the YouTube comments for <strong><a href=\"http://youtu.be/YI6Ms0b4q-4\" target=\"_blank\">Armageddon It</a></strong>.  (1.1 million views!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"I\'m 12 and I get to go see them on August 27th with my parents with Heart!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"14 AND LOVING THIS SONG!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>M</strong></span><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>y personal favorite:  \"Smart teenagers are still alive.  I like it.\"</strong></span> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSmart teens AND Smart Late Bloomies.  Yes, indeed.  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAre you/were you a Def Leppard fan?  Heart?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat was your First Concert Ever?','Day 287:  Repeat of My First Concert Ever','','inherit','open','open','','6582-revision-11','','','2011-07-15 17:03:02','2011-07-16 00:03:02','',6582,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/15/6582-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(6598,1,'2011-07-15 17:05:43','2011-07-16 00:05:43','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6588 alignnone\" title=\"RH000015-1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" /></a><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-6590\" title=\"dlapproved1[1](cropped)\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/dlapproved11cropped.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" />\n\nDef Leppard Then and Now\n\nPhoto Credit:  <strong><a href=\"http://www.defleppard.com/photos/official?page=2\" target=\"_blank\">Ross Halfin</a> &amp; <a href=\"http://www.defleppard.com/photos/official\" target=\"_blank\">Gitte Meldgaard</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDo you remember your first concert?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho did you see?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPeople are always surprised to hear mine.  Def Leppard.  The Pyromania Tour.  I guess it’s because I seem a bit too “refined” for Def Leppard.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/02/day-275-my-f-score-is-p-whats-yours/\" target=\"_blank\">My rebel self</a></strong> is amused by this.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>To say that I was obsessed with Def Leppard as a kid is an understatement.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI recorded their videos off of MTV and watched (and paused) them hundreds of times.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was madly in love with lead singer, Joe Elliott, and knew the names and trivia surrounding him and all of the other band members.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy 45record case was decorated with their names, instruments, and song titles with their signature Def Leppard lettering in silver paint pen.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was also a mousy, mostly quiet, straight-A student who was not your typical Def Leppard worshipper.  I suppose that the rebel in me was just starting basic training.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn 1983, I showed up with my sister, my best friend, Carolyn, and Mr. Colella (who stepped in for my dad due to an emergency hospital stay) to see Def Leppard and opening act Jon Butcher Axis (who honestly, I don’t remember at all.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>I donned a typical confused 80s fashion statement of parachute pants, union jack sleeveless shirt, and pink &amp; black Vans.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI can’t recall what Ca and Jennie (then Jenny) wore, but I am sure they were a sight as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAh, memories…\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can imagine my reaction when I heard on the radio a few months back that Def Leppard would soon be touring with Heart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI audibly gasped.  It’s a miracle that I managed to continue driving.  HEART???\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Barracuda” is my very first musical memory.  I must have been about 4 years-old at the annual Fireman’s Carnival in Southampton, NY.  I was spellbound watching a scary ride where the people were strapped in while standing up.  The “wheel” started spinning on a horizontal plane and then rotated to a vertical plane.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDo you know which ride I’m talking about?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhile this Wheel of Terror spun wildly with screaming riders, the guitar riff of “Barracuda” blared through the carnival sound system.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEvery time I heard “Barracuda” after that, I was creeped out.  (My parents were big listeners of rock.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil I heard “Dog and Butterfly” for the first time.  I was a Heart fan from then on.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Fast forward to present day and my car “moment” upon hearing the Def Leppard/Heart double bill…</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNone of my friends seemed as excited as me.  No one bit when I mentioned purchasing tickets.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI even bribed Kim C.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“I’ll go to Journey with you, if you go to Def Leppard with me!” (This is a big deal for me considering that in my mind, Journey is not Journey without Powerful Portuguese Man aka Steve Perry fronting the band.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nKim C. smirked back at me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Please?”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSmirk.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Think about it?”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSmirk.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUgh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOk, ok.  So not everyone loves Def Leppard as much as me after nearly 30 years.  I get it!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy Friend Who Shall Remain Anonymous nearly skyrocketed out of her seat when I mentioned the double bill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe blurted, “I WILL GO WITH YOU!!!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>We secured our tickets on Day 287.  I will relive my First Concert Ever on Day 330-ish.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh.  And I\'ve since discovered that I and FWSRA are by  no means the only fans still crazy for Def Lep after all of these years.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTake a look at the YouTube comments for <strong><a href=\"http://youtu.be/YI6Ms0b4q-4\" target=\"_blank\">Armageddon It</a></strong>.  (1.1 million views!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"I\'m 12 and I get to go see them on August 27th with my parents with Heart!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"14 AND LOVING THIS SONG!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>M</strong></span><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>y personal favorite:  \"Smart teenagers are still alive.  I like it.\"</strong></span> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSmart teens AND Smart Late Bloomies.  Yes, indeed.  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAre you/were you a Def Leppard fan?  Heart?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat was your First Concert Ever?','Day 287:  Repeat of My First Concert Ever','','inherit','open','open','','6582-revision-13','','','2011-07-15 17:05:43','2011-07-16 00:05:43','',6582,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/15/6582-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(6597,1,'2011-07-15 17:04:36','2011-07-16 00:04:36','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6588 alignnone\" title=\"RH000015-1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" /></a><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-6590\" title=\"dlapproved1[1](cropped)\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/dlapproved11cropped.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" />\r\n\r\nDef Leppard Then and Now\r\n\r\nPhoto Credit:  <strong><a href=\"http://www.defleppard.com/photos/official?page=2\" target=\"_blank\">Ross Halfin</a> &amp; <a href=\"http://www.defleppard.com/photos/official\" target=\"_blank\">Gitte Meldgaard</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you remember your first concert?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho did you see?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople are always surprised to hear mine.  Def Leppard.  The Pyromania Tour.  I guess it’s because I seem a bit too “refined” for Def Leppard.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/02/day-275-my-f-score-is-p-whats-yours/\" target=\"_blank\">My rebel self</a></strong> is amused by this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>To say that I was obsessed with Def Leppard as a kid is an understatement.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI recorded their videos off of MTV and watched (and paused) them hundreds of times.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was madly in love with lead singer, Joe Elliott, and knew the names and trivia surrounding him and all of the other band members.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy 45record case was decorated with their names, instruments, and song titles with their signature Def Leppard lettering in silver paint pen.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was also a mousy, mostly quiet, straight-A student who was not your typical Def Leppard worshipper.  I suppose that the rebel in me was just starting basic training.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn 1983, I showed up with my sister, my best friend, Carolyn, and Mr. Colella (who stepped in for my dad due to an emergency hospital stay) to see Def Leppard and opening act Jon Butcher Axis (who honestly, I don’t remember at all.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>I donned a typical confused 80s fashion statement of parachute pants, union jack sleeveless shirt, and pink &amp; black Vans.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI can’t recall what Ca and Jennie (then Jenny) wore, but I am sure they were a sight as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAh, memories…\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can imagine my reaction when I heard on the radio a few months back that Def Leppard would soon be touring with Heart.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI audibly gasped.  It’s a miracle that I managed to continue driving.  HEART???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Barracuda” is my very first musical memory.  I must have been about 4 years-old at the annual Fireman’s Carnival in Southampton, NY.  I was spellbound watching a scary ride where the people were strapped in while standing up.  The “wheel” started spinning on a horizontal plane and then rotated to a vertical plane.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you know which ride I’m talking about?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile this Wheel of Terror spun wildly with screaming riders, the guitar riff of “Barracuda” blared through the carnival sound system.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEvery time I heard “Barracuda” after that, I was creeped out.  (My parents were big listeners of rock.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil I heard “Dog and Butterfly” for the first time.  I was a Heart fan from then on.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Fast forward to present day and my car “moment” upon hearing the Def Leppard/Heart double bill…</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNone of my friends seemed as excited as me.  No one bit when I mentioned purchasing tickets.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI even bribed Kim C.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“I’ll go to Journey with you, if you go to Def Leppard with me!” (This is a big deal for me considering that in my mind, Journey is not Journey without Powerful Portuguese Man aka Steve Perry fronting the band.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. smirked back at me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Please?”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSmirk.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Think about it?”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSmirk.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUgh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOk, ok.  So not everyone loves Def Leppard as much as me after nearly 30 years.  I get it!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Friend Who Shall Remain Anonymous nearly skyrocketed out of her seat when I mentioned the double bill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe blurted, “I WILL GO WITH YOU!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>We secured our tickets on Day 287.  I will relive my First Concert Ever on Day 330-ish.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh.  And I\'ve since discovered that I and FWSRA are by  no means the only fans still crazy for Def Lep after all of these years.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTake a look at the YouTube comments for <strong><a href=\"http://youtu.be/YI6Ms0b4q-4\" target=\"_blank\">Armageddon It</a></strong>.  (1.1 million views!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"I\'m 12 and I get to go see them on August 27th with my parents with Heart!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"14 AND LOVING THIS SONG!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>M</strong></span><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>y personal favorite:  \"Smart teenagers are still alive.  I like it.\"</strong></span> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSmart teens AND Smart Late Bloomies.  Yes, indeed.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAre you/were you a Def Leppard fan?  Heart?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat was your First Concert Ever?','Day 287:  Repeat of My First Concert Ever','','inherit','open','open','','6582-revision-12','','','2011-07-15 17:04:36','2011-07-16 00:04:36','',6582,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/15/6582-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(6600,1,'2011-07-15 17:07:29','2011-07-16 00:07:29','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6588 alignnone\" title=\"RH000015-1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" /></a><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-6590\" title=\"dlapproved1[1](cropped)\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/dlapproved11cropped.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" />\n\nDef Leppard Then and Now\n\nPhoto Credit:  <strong><a href=\"http://www.defleppard.com/photos/official?page=2\" target=\"_blank\">Ross Halfin</a> &amp; <a href=\"http://www.defleppard.com/photos/official\" target=\"_blank\">Gitte Meldgaard</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDo you remember your first concert?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho did you see?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPeople are always surprised to hear mine.  Def Leppard.  The Pyromania Tour.  I guess it’s because I seem a bit too “refined” for Def Leppard.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/02/day-275-my-f-score-is-p-whats-yours/\" target=\"_blank\">My rebel self</a></strong> is amused by this.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>To say that I was obsessed with Def Leppard as a kid is an understatement.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI recorded their videos off of MTV and watched (and paused) them hundreds of times.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was madly in love with lead singer, Joe Elliott, and knew the names and trivia surrounding him and all of the other band members.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy 45record case was decorated with their names, instruments, and song titles with their signature Def Leppard lettering in silver paint pen.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was also a mousy, mostly quiet, straight-A student who was not your typical Def Leppard worshipper.  I suppose that the rebel in me was just starting basic training.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn 1983, I showed up with my sister, my best friend, Carolyn, and Mr. Colella (who stepped in for my dad due to an emergency hospital stay) to see Def Leppard and opening act Jon Butcher Axis (who honestly, I don’t remember at all.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>I donned a typical confused 80s fashion statement of parachute pants, union jack sleeveless shirt, and pink &amp; black Vans.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI can’t recall what Ca and Jennie (then Jenny) wore, but I am sure they were a sight as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAh, memories…\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can imagine my reaction when I heard on the radio a few months back that Def Leppard would soon be touring with Heart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI audibly gasped.  It’s a miracle that I managed to continue driving.  HEART???\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Barracuda” is my very first musical memory.  I must have been about 4 years-old at the annual Fireman’s Carnival in Southampton, NY.  I was spellbound watching a scary ride where the people were strapped in while standing up.  The “wheel” started spinning on a horizontal plane and then rotated to a vertical plane.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDo you know which ride I’m talking about?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhile this Wheel of Terror spun wildly with screaming riders, the guitar riff of “Barracuda” blared through the carnival sound system.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEvery time I heard “Barracuda” after that, I was creeped out.  (My parents were big listeners of rock.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil I heard “Dog and Butterfly” for the first time.  I was a Heart fan from then on.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Fast forward to present day and my car “moment” upon hearing the Def Leppard/Heart double bill…</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNone of my friends seemed as excited as me.  No one bit when I mentioned purchasing tickets.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI even bribed Kim C.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“I’ll go to Journey with you, if you go to Def Leppard with me!” (This is a big deal for me considering that in my mind, Journey is not Journey without Powerful Portuguese Man aka Steve Perry fronting the band.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nKim C. smirked back at me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Please?”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSmirk.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Think about it?”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSmirk.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUgh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOk, ok.  So not everyone loves Def Leppard as much as me after nearly 30 years.  I get it!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy Friend Who Shall Remain Anonymous nearly skyrocketed out of her seat when I mentioned the double bill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe blurted, “I WILL GO WITH YOU!!!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>We secured our tickets on Day 287.  I will relive my First Concert Ever on Day 330-ish.  </strong></span>\n\nOh.  And I\'ve since discovered that I and FWSRA are by  no means the only fans still crazy for Def Lep after all of these years.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTake a look at the YouTube comments for <strong><a href=\"http://youtu.be/YI6Ms0b4q-4\" target=\"_blank\">Armageddon It</a></strong>.  (1.1 million views!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"I\'m 12 and I get to go see them on August 27th with my parents with Heart!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"14 AND LOVING THIS SONG!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>M</strong></span><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>y personal favorite:  \"Smart teenagers are still alive.  I like it.\"</strong></span> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSmart teens AND Smart Late Bloomies.  Yes, indeed.  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAre you/were you a Def Leppard fan?  Heart?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat was your First Concert Ever?','Day 287:  Repeat of My First Concert Ever','','inherit','open','open','','6582-revision-15','','','2011-07-15 17:07:29','2011-07-16 00:07:29','',6582,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/15/6582-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(6599,1,'2011-07-15 17:05:52','2011-07-16 00:05:52','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6588 alignnone\" title=\"RH000015-1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" /></a><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-6590\" title=\"dlapproved1[1](cropped)\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/dlapproved11cropped.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" />\r\n\r\nDef Leppard Then and Now\r\n\r\nPhoto Credit:  <strong><a href=\"http://www.defleppard.com/photos/official?page=2\" target=\"_blank\">Ross Halfin</a> &amp; <a href=\"http://www.defleppard.com/photos/official\" target=\"_blank\">Gitte Meldgaard</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you remember your first concert?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho did you see?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople are always surprised to hear mine.  Def Leppard.  The Pyromania Tour.  I guess it’s because I seem a bit too “refined” for Def Leppard.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/02/day-275-my-f-score-is-p-whats-yours/\" target=\"_blank\">My rebel self</a></strong> is amused by this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>To say that I was obsessed with Def Leppard as a kid is an understatement.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI recorded their videos off of MTV and watched (and paused) them hundreds of times.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was madly in love with lead singer, Joe Elliott, and knew the names and trivia surrounding him and all of the other band members.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy 45record case was decorated with their names, instruments, and song titles with their signature Def Leppard lettering in silver paint pen.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was also a mousy, mostly quiet, straight-A student who was not your typical Def Leppard worshipper.  I suppose that the rebel in me was just starting basic training.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn 1983, I showed up with my sister, my best friend, Carolyn, and Mr. Colella (who stepped in for my dad due to an emergency hospital stay) to see Def Leppard and opening act Jon Butcher Axis (who honestly, I don’t remember at all.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>I donned a typical confused 80s fashion statement of parachute pants, union jack sleeveless shirt, and pink &amp; black Vans.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI can’t recall what Ca and Jennie (then Jenny) wore, but I am sure they were a sight as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAh, memories…\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can imagine my reaction when I heard on the radio a few months back that Def Leppard would soon be touring with Heart.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI audibly gasped.  It’s a miracle that I managed to continue driving.  HEART???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Barracuda” is my very first musical memory.  I must have been about 4 years-old at the annual Fireman’s Carnival in Southampton, NY.  I was spellbound watching a scary ride where the people were strapped in while standing up.  The “wheel” started spinning on a horizontal plane and then rotated to a vertical plane.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you know which ride I’m talking about?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile this Wheel of Terror spun wildly with screaming riders, the guitar riff of “Barracuda” blared through the carnival sound system.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEvery time I heard “Barracuda” after that, I was creeped out.  (My parents were big listeners of rock.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil I heard “Dog and Butterfly” for the first time.  I was a Heart fan from then on.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Fast forward to present day and my car “moment” upon hearing the Def Leppard/Heart double bill…</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNone of my friends seemed as excited as me.  No one bit when I mentioned purchasing tickets.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI even bribed Kim C.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“I’ll go to Journey with you, if you go to Def Leppard with me!” (This is a big deal for me considering that in my mind, Journey is not Journey without Powerful Portuguese Man aka Steve Perry fronting the band.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. smirked back at me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Please?”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSmirk.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Think about it?”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSmirk.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUgh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOk, ok.  So not everyone loves Def Leppard as much as me after nearly 30 years.  I get it!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Friend Who Shall Remain Anonymous nearly skyrocketed out of her seat when I mentioned the double bill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe blurted, “I WILL GO WITH YOU!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>We secured our tickets on Day 287.  I will relive my First Concert Ever on Day 330-ish.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh.  And I\'ve since discovered that I and FWSRA are by  no means the only fans still crazy for Def Lep after all of these years.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTake a look at the YouTube comments for <strong><a href=\"http://youtu.be/YI6Ms0b4q-4\" target=\"_blank\">Armageddon It</a></strong>.  (1.1 million views!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"I\'m 12 and I get to go see them on August 27th with my parents with Heart!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"14 AND LOVING THIS SONG!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>M</strong></span><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>y personal favorite:  \"Smart teenagers are still alive.  I like it.\"</strong></span> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSmart teens AND Smart Late Bloomies.  Yes, indeed.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAre you/were you a Def Leppard fan?  Heart?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat was your First Concert Ever?','Day 287:  Repeat of My First Concert Ever','','inherit','open','open','','6582-revision-14','','','2011-07-15 17:05:52','2011-07-16 00:05:52','',6582,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/15/6582-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(6601,1,'2011-07-15 17:08:43','2011-07-16 00:08:43','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6588 alignnone\" title=\"RH000015-1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" /></a><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-6590\" title=\"dlapproved1[1](cropped)\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/dlapproved11cropped.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" />\n\nDef Leppard Then and Now\n\nPhoto Credit:  <strong><a href=\"http://www.defleppard.com/photos/official?page=2\" target=\"_blank\">Ross Halfin</a> &amp; <a href=\"http://www.defleppard.com/photos/official\" target=\"_blank\">Gitte Meldgaard</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDo you remember your first concert?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho did you see?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPeople are always surprised to hear mine.  Def Leppard.  The Pyromania Tour.  I guess it’s because I seem a bit too “refined” for Def Leppard.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/02/day-275-my-f-score-is-p-whats-yours/\" target=\"_blank\">My rebel self</a></strong> is amused by this.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>To say that I was obsessed with Def Leppard as a kid is an understatement.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI recorded their videos off of MTV and watched (and paused) them hundreds of times.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was madly in love with lead singer, Joe Elliott, and knew the names and trivia surrounding him and all of the other band members.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy 45 record case was decorated with their names, instruments, and song titles with their signature Def Leppard lettering in silver paint pen.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was also a mousy, mostly quiet, straight-A student who was not your typical Def Leppard worshipper.  I suppose that the rebel in me was just starting basic training.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn 1983, I showed up with my sister, my best friend, Carolyn, and Mr. Colella (who stepped in for my dad due to an emergency hospital stay) to see Def Leppard and opening act Jon Butcher Axis (who honestly, I don’t remember at all.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>I donned a typical confused 80s fashion statement of parachute pants, union jack sleeveless shirt, and pink &amp; black Vans.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI can’t recall what Ca and Jennie (then Jenny) wore, but I am sure they were a sight as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAh, memories…\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can imagine my reaction when I heard on the radio a few months back that Def Leppard would soon be touring with Heart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI audibly gasped.  It’s a miracle that I managed to continue driving.  HEART???\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Barracuda” is my very first musical memory.  I must have been about 4 years old at the annual Fireman’s Carnival in Southampton, NY.  I was spellbound watching a scary ride where the people were strapped in while standing up.  The “wheel” started spinning on a horizontal plane and then rotated to a vertical plane.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDo you know which ride I’m talking about?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhile this Wheel of Terror spun wildly with screaming riders, the guitar riff of “Barracuda” blared through the carnival sound system.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEvery time I heard “Barracuda” after that, I was creeped out.  (My parents were big listeners of rock.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil I heard “Dog and Butterfly” for the first time.  I was a Heart fan from then on.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Fast forward to present day and my car “moment” upon hearing the Def Leppard/Heart double bill…</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNone of my friends seemed as excited as me.  No one bit when I mentioned purchasing tickets.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI even bribed Kim C.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“I’ll go to Journey with you, if you go to Def Leppard with me!” (This is a big deal for me considering that in my mind, Journey is not Journey without Powerful Portuguese Man aka Steve Perry fronting the band.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nKim C. smirked back at me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Please?”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSmirk.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Think about it?”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSmirk.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUgh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOk, ok.  So not everyone loves Def Leppard as much as me after nearly 30 years.  I get it!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy Friend Who Shall Remain Anonymous nearly skyrocketed out of her seat when I mentioned the double bill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe blurted, “I WILL GO WITH YOU!!!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>We secured our tickets on Day 287.  I will relive my First Concert Ever on Day 330-ish.  </strong></span>\n\nOh.  And I\'ve since discovered that I and FWSRA are by  no means the only fans still crazy for Def Lep after all of these years.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTake a look at the YouTube comments for <strong><a href=\"http://youtu.be/YI6Ms0b4q-4\" target=\"_blank\">Armageddon It</a></strong>.  (1.1 million views!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"I\'m 12 and I get to go see them on August 27th with my parents with Heart!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"14 AND LOVING THIS SONG!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>M</strong></span><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>y personal favorite:  \"Smart teenagers are still alive.  I like it.\"</strong></span> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSmart teens AND Smart Late Bloomies.  Yes, indeed.  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAre you/were you a Def Leppard fan?  Heart?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat was your First Concert Ever?','Day 287:  Repeat of My First Concert Ever','','inherit','open','open','','6582-revision-16','','','2011-07-15 17:08:43','2011-07-16 00:08:43','',6582,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/15/6582-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(6602,1,'2011-07-15 17:12:27','2011-07-16 00:12:27','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6588 alignnone\" title=\"RH000015-1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" /></a><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-6590\" title=\"dlapproved1[1](cropped)\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/dlapproved11cropped.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" />\r\n\r\nDef Leppard Then and Now\r\n\r\nPhoto Credit:  <strong><a href=\"http://www.defleppard.com/photos/official?page=2\" target=\"_blank\">Ross Halfin</a> &amp; <a href=\"http://www.defleppard.com/photos/official\" target=\"_blank\">Gitte Meldgaard</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you remember your first concert?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho did you see?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople are always surprised to hear mine.  Def Leppard.  The Pyromania Tour.  I guess it’s because I seem a bit too “refined” for Def Leppard.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/02/day-275-my-f-score-is-p-whats-yours/\" target=\"_blank\">My rebel self</a></strong> is amused by this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>To say that I was obsessed with Def Leppard as a kid is an understatement.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI recorded their videos off of MTV and watched (and paused) them hundreds of times.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was madly in love with lead singer, Joe Elliott, and knew the names and trivia surrounding him and all of the other band members.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy 45 record case was decorated with their names, instruments, and song titles with their signature Def Leppard lettering in silver paint pen.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was also a mousy, mostly quiet, straight-A student who was not your typical Def Leppard worshipper.  I suppose that the rebel in me was just starting basic training.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn 1983, I showed up with my sister, my best friend, Carolyn, and Mr. Colella (who stepped in for my dad due to an emergency hospital stay) to see Def Leppard and opening act Jon Butcher Axis (who honestly, I don’t remember at all.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>I donned a typical confused 80s fashion statement of parachute pants, union jack sleeveless shirt, and pink &amp; black Vans.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI can’t recall what Ca and Jennie (then Jenny) wore, but I am sure they were a sight as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAh, memories…\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can imagine my reaction when I heard on the radio a few months back that Def Leppard would soon be touring with Heart.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI audibly gasped.  It’s a miracle that I managed to continue driving.  HEART???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Barracuda” is my very first musical memory.  I must have been about 4 years old at the annual Fireman’s Carnival in Southampton, NY.  I was spellbound watching a scary ride where the people were strapped in while standing up.  The “wheel” started spinning on a horizontal plane and then rotated to a vertical plane.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you know which ride I’m talking about?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile this Wheel of Terror spun wildly with screaming riders, the guitar riff of “Barracuda” blared through the carnival sound system.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEvery time I heard “Barracuda” after that, I was creeped out.  (My parents were big listeners of rock.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil I heard “Dog and Butterfly” for the first time.  I was a Heart fan from then on.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Fast forward to present day and my car “moment” upon hearing the Def Leppard/Heart double bill…</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNone of my friends seemed as excited as me.  No one bit when I mentioned purchasing tickets.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI even bribed Kim C.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“I’ll go to Journey with you, if you go to Def Leppard with me!” (This is a big deal for me considering that in my mind, Journey is not Journey without Powerful Portuguese Man aka Steve Perry fronting the band.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. smirked back at me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Please?”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSmirk.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Think about it?”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSmirk.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUgh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOk, ok.  So not everyone loves Def Leppard as much as me after nearly 30 years.  I get it!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Friend Who Shall Remain Anonymous nearly skyrocketed out of her seat when I mentioned the double bill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe blurted, “I WILL GO WITH YOU!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>We secured our tickets on Day 287.  I will relive my First Concert Ever on Day 330-ish.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\nOh.  And I\'ve since discovered that I and FWSRA are by  no means the only fans still crazy for Def Lep after all of these years.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTake a look at the YouTube comments for <strong><a href=\"http://youtu.be/YI6Ms0b4q-4\" target=\"_blank\">Armageddon It</a></strong>.  (1.1 million views!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"I\'m 12 and I get to go see them on August 27th with my parents with Heart!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"14 AND LOVING THIS SONG!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>M</strong></span><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>y personal favorite:  \"Smart teenagers are still alive.  I like it.\"</strong></span> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSmart teens AND Smart Late Bloomies.  Yes, indeed.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAre you/were you a Def Leppard fan?  Heart?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat was your First Concert Ever?','Day 287:  Repeat of My First Concert Ever','','inherit','open','open','','6582-revision-17','','','2011-07-15 17:12:27','2011-07-16 00:12:27','',6582,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/15/6582-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(6603,1,'2011-07-15 17:18:31','2011-07-16 00:18:31','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6588 alignnone\" title=\"RH000015-1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" /></a><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-6590\" title=\"dlapproved1[1](cropped)\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/dlapproved11cropped.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" />\n\nDef Leppard Then and Now\n\nPhoto Credit:  <strong><a href=\"http://www.defleppard.com/photos/official?page=2\" target=\"_blank\">Ross Halfin</a> &amp; <a href=\"http://www.defleppard.com/photos/official\" target=\"_blank\">Gitte Meldgaard</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDo you remember your first concert?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWho did you see?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPeople are always surprised to hear mine.  Def Leppard.  The Pyromania Tour.  I guess it’s because I seem a bit too “refined” for Def Leppard.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/02/day-275-my-f-score-is-p-whats-yours/\" target=\"_blank\">My rebel self</a></strong> is amused by this.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>To say that I was obsessed with Def Leppard as a kid is an understatement.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI recorded their videos off of MTV and watched (and paused) them hundreds of times.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was madly in love with lead singer, Joe Elliott, and knew the names and trivia surrounding him and all of the other band members.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy 45 record case was decorated with their names, instruments, and song titles with their signature Def Leppard lettering in silver paint pen.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was also a mousy, mostly quiet, straight-A student who was not your typical Def Leppard worshipper.  I suppose that the rebel in me was just starting basic training.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn 1983, I showed up with my sister, my best friend, Carolyn, and Mr. Colella (who stepped in for my dad due to an emergency hospital stay) to see Def Leppard and opening act Jon Butcher Axis (who honestly, I don’t remember at all.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>I donned a typical confused 80s fashion statement of parachute pants, union jack sleeveless shirt, and pink &amp; black checkered Vans.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI can’t recall what Ca and Jennie (then Jenny) wore, but I am sure they were a sight as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAh, memories…\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can imagine my reaction when I heard on the radio a few months back that Def Leppard would soon be touring with Heart.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI audibly gasped.  It’s a miracle that I managed to continue driving.  HEART???\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Barracuda” is my very first musical memory.  I must have been about 4 years old at the annual Fireman’s Carnival in Southampton, NY.  I was spellbound watching a scary ride where the people were strapped in while standing up.  The “wheel” started spinning on a horizontal plane and then rotated to a vertical plane.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDo you know which ride I’m talking about?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhile this Wheel of Terror spun wildly with screaming riders, the guitar riff of “Barracuda” blared through the carnival sound system.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEvery time I heard “Barracuda” after that, I was creeped out.  (My parents were big listeners of rock.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUntil I heard “Dog and Butterfly” for the first time.  I was a Heart fan from then on.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Fast forward to present day and my car “moment” upon hearing the Def Leppard/Heart double bill…</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNone of my friends seemed as excited as me.  No one bit when I mentioned purchasing tickets.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI even bribed Kim C.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“I’ll go to Journey with you, if you go to Def Leppard with me!” (This is a big deal for me considering that in my mind, Journey is not Journey without Powerful Portuguese Man aka Steve Perry fronting the band.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nKim C. smirked back at me.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Please?”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSmirk.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Think about it?”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSmirk.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUgh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOk, ok.  So not everyone loves Def Leppard as much as me after nearly 30 years.  I get it!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy Friend Who Shall Remain Anonymous nearly skyrocketed out of her seat when I mentioned the double bill.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe blurted, “I WILL GO WITH YOU!!!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>We secured our tickets on Day 287.  I will relive my First Concert Ever on Day 340-ish.  </strong></span>\n\nOh.  And I\'ve since discovered that I and FWSRA are by no means the only fans still crazy for Def Lep after all of these years.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTake a look at the YouTube comments for <strong><a href=\"http://youtu.be/YI6Ms0b4q-4\" target=\"_blank\">Armageddon It</a></strong>.  (1.1 million views!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"I\'m 12 and I get to go see them on August 27th with my parents with Heart!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\"14 AND LOVING THIS SONG!\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>M</strong></span><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>y personal favorite:  \"Smart teenagers are still alive.  I like it.\"</strong></span> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSmart teens AND Smart Late Bloomies.  Yes, indeed.  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAre you/were you a Def Leppard fan?  Heart?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat was your First Concert Ever?','Day 287:  Repeat of My First Concert Ever','','inherit','open','open','','6582-autosave','','','2011-07-15 17:18:31','2011-07-16 00:18:31','',6582,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/15/6582-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(6604,1,'2011-07-15 17:12:44','2011-07-16 00:12:44','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6588 alignnone\" title=\"RH000015-1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" /></a><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-6590\" title=\"dlapproved1[1](cropped)\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/dlapproved11cropped.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" />\r\n\r\nDef Leppard Then and Now\r\n\r\nPhoto Credit:  <strong><a href=\"http://www.defleppard.com/photos/official?page=2\" target=\"_blank\">Ross Halfin</a> &amp; <a href=\"http://www.defleppard.com/photos/official\" target=\"_blank\">Gitte Meldgaard</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you remember your first concert?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho did you see?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople are always surprised to hear mine.  Def Leppard.  The Pyromania Tour.  I guess it’s because I seem a bit too “refined” for Def Leppard.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/02/day-275-my-f-score-is-p-whats-yours/\" target=\"_blank\">My rebel self</a></strong> is amused by this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>To say that I was obsessed with Def Leppard as a kid is an understatement.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI recorded their videos off of MTV and watched (and paused) them hundreds of times.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was madly in love with lead singer, Joe Elliott, and knew the names and trivia surrounding him and all of the other band members.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy 45 record case was decorated with their names, instruments, and song titles with their signature Def Leppard lettering in silver paint pen.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was also a mousy, mostly quiet, straight-A student who was not your typical Def Leppard worshipper.  I suppose that the rebel in me was just starting basic training.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn 1983, I showed up with my sister, my best friend, Carolyn, and Mr. Colella (who stepped in for my dad due to an emergency hospital stay) to see Def Leppard and opening act Jon Butcher Axis (who honestly, I don’t remember at all.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>I donned a typical confused 80s fashion statement of parachute pants, union jack sleeveless shirt, and pink &amp; black Vans.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI can’t recall what Ca and Jennie (then Jenny) wore, but I am sure they were a sight as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAh, memories…\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can imagine my reaction when I heard on the radio a few months back that Def Leppard would soon be touring with Heart.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI audibly gasped.  It’s a miracle that I managed to continue driving.  HEART???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Barracuda” is my very first musical memory.  I must have been about 4 years old at the annual Fireman’s Carnival in Southampton, NY.  I was spellbound watching a scary ride where the people were strapped in while standing up.  The “wheel” started spinning on a horizontal plane and then rotated to a vertical plane.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you know which ride I’m talking about?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile this Wheel of Terror spun wildly with screaming riders, the guitar riff of “Barracuda” blared through the carnival sound system.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEvery time I heard “Barracuda” after that, I was creeped out.  (My parents were big listeners of rock.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil I heard “Dog and Butterfly” for the first time.  I was a Heart fan from then on.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Fast forward to present day and my car “moment” upon hearing the Def Leppard/Heart double bill…</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNone of my friends seemed as excited as me.  No one bit when I mentioned purchasing tickets.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI even bribed Kim C.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“I’ll go to Journey with you, if you go to Def Leppard with me!” (This is a big deal for me considering that in my mind, Journey is not Journey without Powerful Portuguese Man aka Steve Perry fronting the band.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. smirked back at me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Please?”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSmirk.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Think about it?”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSmirk.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUgh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOk, ok.  So not everyone loves Def Leppard as much as me after nearly 30 years.  I get it!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Friend Who Shall Remain Anonymous nearly skyrocketed out of her seat when I mentioned the double bill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe blurted, “I WILL GO WITH YOU!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>We secured our tickets on Day 287.  I will relive my First Concert Ever on Day 330-ish.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\nOh.  And I\'ve since discovered that I and FWSRA are by  no means the only fans still crazy for Def Lep after all of these years.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTake a look at the YouTube comments for <strong><a href=\"http://youtu.be/YI6Ms0b4q-4\" target=\"_blank\">Armageddon It</a></strong>.  (1.1 million views!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"I\'m 12 and I get to go see them on August 27th with my parents with Heart!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"14 AND LOVING THIS SONG!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>M</strong></span><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>y personal favorite:  \"Smart teenagers are still alive.  I like it.\"</strong></span> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSmart teens AND Smart Late Bloomies.  Yes, indeed.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAre you/were you a Def Leppard fan?  Heart?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat was your First Concert Ever?','Day 287:  Repeat of My First Concert Ever','','inherit','open','open','','6582-revision-18','','','2011-07-15 17:12:44','2011-07-16 00:12:44','',6582,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/15/6582-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(6605,1,'2011-07-15 17:15:06','2011-07-16 00:15:06','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6588 alignnone\" title=\"RH000015-1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" /></a><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-6590\" title=\"dlapproved1[1](cropped)\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/dlapproved11cropped.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" />\r\n\r\nDef Leppard Then and Now\r\n\r\nPhoto Credit:  <strong><a href=\"http://www.defleppard.com/photos/official?page=2\" target=\"_blank\">Ross Halfin</a> &amp; <a href=\"http://www.defleppard.com/photos/official\" target=\"_blank\">Gitte Meldgaard</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you remember your first concert?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho did you see?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople are always surprised to hear mine.  Def Leppard.  The Pyromania Tour.  I guess it’s because I seem a bit too “refined” for Def Leppard.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/02/day-275-my-f-score-is-p-whats-yours/\" target=\"_blank\">My rebel self</a></strong> is amused by this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>To say that I was obsessed with Def Leppard as a kid is an understatement.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI recorded their videos off of MTV and watched (and paused) them hundreds of times.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was madly in love with lead singer, Joe Elliott, and knew the names and trivia surrounding him and all of the other band members.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy 45 record case was decorated with their names, instruments, and song titles with their signature Def Leppard lettering in silver paint pen.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was also a mousy, mostly quiet, straight-A student who was not your typical Def Leppard worshipper.  I suppose that the rebel in me was just starting basic training.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn 1983, I showed up with my sister, my best friend, Carolyn, and Mr. Colella (who stepped in for my dad due to an emergency hospital stay) to see Def Leppard and opening act Jon Butcher Axis (who honestly, I don’t remember at all.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>I donned a typical confused 80s fashion statement of parachute pants, union jack sleeveless shirt, and pink &amp; black checkered Vans.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI can’t recall what Ca and Jennie (then Jenny) wore, but I am sure they were a sight as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAh, memories…\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can imagine my reaction when I heard on the radio a few months back that Def Leppard would soon be touring with Heart.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI audibly gasped.  It’s a miracle that I managed to continue driving.  HEART???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Barracuda” is my very first musical memory.  I must have been about 4 years old at the annual Fireman’s Carnival in Southampton, NY.  I was spellbound watching a scary ride where the people were strapped in while standing up.  The “wheel” started spinning on a horizontal plane and then rotated to a vertical plane.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you know which ride I’m talking about?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile this Wheel of Terror spun wildly with screaming riders, the guitar riff of “Barracuda” blared through the carnival sound system.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEvery time I heard “Barracuda” after that, I was creeped out.  (My parents were big listeners of rock.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil I heard “Dog and Butterfly” for the first time.  I was a Heart fan from then on.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Fast forward to present day and my car “moment” upon hearing the Def Leppard/Heart double bill…</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNone of my friends seemed as excited as me.  No one bit when I mentioned purchasing tickets.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI even bribed Kim C.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“I’ll go to Journey with you, if you go to Def Leppard with me!” (This is a big deal for me considering that in my mind, Journey is not Journey without Powerful Portuguese Man aka Steve Perry fronting the band.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. smirked back at me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Please?”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSmirk.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Think about it?”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSmirk.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUgh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOk, ok.  So not everyone loves Def Leppard as much as me after nearly 30 years.  I get it!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Friend Who Shall Remain Anonymous nearly skyrocketed out of her seat when I mentioned the double bill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe blurted, “I WILL GO WITH YOU!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>We secured our tickets on Day 287.  I will relive my First Concert Ever on Day 330-ish.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\nOh.  And I\'ve since discovered that I and FWSRA are by  no means the only fans still crazy for Def Lep after all of these years.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTake a look at the YouTube comments for <strong><a href=\"http://youtu.be/YI6Ms0b4q-4\" target=\"_blank\">Armageddon It</a></strong>.  (1.1 million views!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"I\'m 12 and I get to go see them on August 27th with my parents with Heart!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"14 AND LOVING THIS SONG!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>M</strong></span><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>y personal favorite:  \"Smart teenagers are still alive.  I like it.\"</strong></span> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSmart teens AND Smart Late Bloomies.  Yes, indeed.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAre you/were you a Def Leppard fan?  Heart?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat was your First Concert Ever?','Day 287:  Repeat of My First Concert Ever','','inherit','open','open','','6582-revision-19','','','2011-07-15 17:15:06','2011-07-16 00:15:06','',6582,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/15/6582-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(6606,1,'2011-07-15 17:16:46','2011-07-16 00:16:46','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-6588 alignnone\" title=\"RH000015-1\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RH000015-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" /></a><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-6590\" title=\"dlapproved1[1](cropped)\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/dlapproved11cropped.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" />\r\n\r\nDef Leppard Then and Now\r\n\r\nPhoto Credit:  <strong><a href=\"http://www.defleppard.com/photos/official?page=2\" target=\"_blank\">Ross Halfin</a> &amp; <a href=\"http://www.defleppard.com/photos/official\" target=\"_blank\">Gitte Meldgaard</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you remember your first concert?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho did you see?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPeople are always surprised to hear mine.  Def Leppard.  The Pyromania Tour.  I guess it’s because I seem a bit too “refined” for Def Leppard.  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/02/day-275-my-f-score-is-p-whats-yours/\" target=\"_blank\">My rebel self</a></strong> is amused by this.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>To say that I was obsessed with Def Leppard as a kid is an understatement.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI recorded their videos off of MTV and watched (and paused) them hundreds of times.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was madly in love with lead singer, Joe Elliott, and knew the names and trivia surrounding him and all of the other band members.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy 45 record case was decorated with their names, instruments, and song titles with their signature Def Leppard lettering in silver paint pen.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was also a mousy, mostly quiet, straight-A student who was not your typical Def Leppard worshipper.  I suppose that the rebel in me was just starting basic training.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn 1983, I showed up with my sister, my best friend, Carolyn, and Mr. Colella (who stepped in for my dad due to an emergency hospital stay) to see Def Leppard and opening act Jon Butcher Axis (who honestly, I don’t remember at all.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>I donned a typical confused 80s fashion statement of parachute pants, union jack sleeveless shirt, and pink &amp; black checkered Vans.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI can’t recall what Ca and Jennie (then Jenny) wore, but I am sure they were a sight as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAh, memories…\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can imagine my reaction when I heard on the radio a few months back that Def Leppard would soon be touring with Heart.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI audibly gasped.  It’s a miracle that I managed to continue driving.  HEART???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Barracuda” is my very first musical memory.  I must have been about 4 years old at the annual Fireman’s Carnival in Southampton, NY.  I was spellbound watching a scary ride where the people were strapped in while standing up.  The “wheel” started spinning on a horizontal plane and then rotated to a vertical plane.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you know which ride I’m talking about?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile this Wheel of Terror spun wildly with screaming riders, the guitar riff of “Barracuda” blared through the carnival sound system.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEvery time I heard “Barracuda” after that, I was creeped out.  (My parents were big listeners of rock.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUntil I heard “Dog and Butterfly” for the first time.  I was a Heart fan from then on.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Fast forward to present day and my car “moment” upon hearing the Def Leppard/Heart double bill…</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNone of my friends seemed as excited as me.  No one bit when I mentioned purchasing tickets.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI even bribed Kim C.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“I’ll go to Journey with you, if you go to Def Leppard with me!” (This is a big deal for me considering that in my mind, Journey is not Journey without Powerful Portuguese Man aka Steve Perry fronting the band.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nKim C. smirked back at me.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Please?”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSmirk.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Think about it?”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSmirk.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUgh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOk, ok.  So not everyone loves Def Leppard as much as me after nearly 30 years.  I get it!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Friend Who Shall Remain Anonymous nearly skyrocketed out of her seat when I mentioned the double bill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe blurted, “I WILL GO WITH YOU!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>We secured our tickets on Day 287.  I will relive my First Concert Ever on Day 340-ish.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\nOh.  And I\'ve since discovered that I and FWSRA are by  no means the only fans still crazy for Def Lep after all of these years.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTake a look at the YouTube comments for <strong><a href=\"http://youtu.be/YI6Ms0b4q-4\" target=\"_blank\">Armageddon It</a></strong>.  (1.1 million views!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"I\'m 12 and I get to go see them on August 27th with my parents with Heart!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"14 AND LOVING THIS SONG!\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>M</strong></span><span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>y personal favorite:  \"Smart teenagers are still alive.  I like it.\"</strong></span> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSmart teens AND Smart Late Bloomies.  Yes, indeed.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAre you/were you a Def Leppard fan?  Heart?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat was your First Concert Ever?','Day 287:  Repeat of My First Concert Ever','','inherit','open','open','','6582-revision-20','','','2011-07-15 17:16:46','2011-07-16 00:16:46','',6582,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/15/6582-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(6607,1,'2011-07-17 01:11:28','2011-07-17 08:11:28','Traveling for pleasure is glamorous.  Traveling for work is exhausting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDoes anyone disagree?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut when you work for Noble Publishing Superpower, they interject really cool and novel “stuff” into your day to combat the fatigue and pump you up.  Smart, aren’t they?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe first day of our Summer Sales Conference wasn’t applicable to my division, so a couple of colleagues and I flew in together on Monday afternoon.  After checking in, we stood in the lobby comparing room floor notes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>I heard a familiar sound that I hadn’t heard live in YEARS.  An ethereal, mystical sound that took me to another time, another place, another world.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI audibly gasped.  (Yes, I do this almost on a daily basis – o.k. a daily basis – which is why I continually overuse this phrase in blog posts. Sorry, folks.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI gasped again.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI’ll throw you a couple of hints:  Scotland.  Kilts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAre you with me?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBAGPIPES!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\">Take.  My.  Breath.  Away</span>.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSince I was a wee lass, I have been enchanted by the sound of bagpipes.  When I hear them, I am immediately spellbound.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ran to the window of the hotel with my perplexed colleagues in tow.  I thought maybe a parade was about to pass by.  We were in downtown Chicago, so it was possible, I guess.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“LISTEN!!!  DO YOU HEAR THEM???”  (How could they NOT hear them?  They’re bagpipes for heaven’s sake.  They’re incredibly loud.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMore gasping.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“THEY’RE BAGPIPES!!!”  (Duh.)  “I LOVE BAGPIPES!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Yes, so do we, Michelle.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>“WHERE ARE THEY???  WE MUST FIND THEM!!!”</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFortunately, we have a new male team member who wasn’t lost in emotion over the bagpipes.  He offered, “It sounds as though they might be coming from upstairs.  Let’s go check it out.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI nearly rolled over New Male Team Member and Britt with my suitcase and computer bag in a mad dash for the elevator.  We arrived at the second floor and headed towards the sound.  We noticed that they were performing on a stage in one of the ballrooms.  Outside the room, the name of Noble Publishing Superpower graced a poster on an easel.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTHE BAGPIPES WERE THERE FOR US!!!!  Now that\'s what I call a welcome!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI pushed my luggage up against a wall and sprinted into the ballroom while armed with my camera.  Mr. New Male Team Member and Britt followed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI snapped photos for my improvised and surprise blog activity.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThankfully, I remembered that my camera has video.  Pictures of bagpipes can’t compare to <em>that sound.</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/GVykwy7jD74\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"480\" height=\"390\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur fearless leader with the cool and novel ideas announced the men behind the bagpipes:  the Chicago PD.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis made a gasping sap like me tear up with respect and reverence.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGoing into Day 288, Mr. New Male Team Member was interested in how I was going to manage squeezing a soul-scintillating activity into a crowded business travel day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI explained that I was just going to have to let Chicago unfold before me.  It’s CHICAGO!  Surely, something is bound to happen.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOr as <a href=\"https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=121586&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=175709\" target=\"ejejcsingle\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo</strong></a> reminds me, leave room in life for mystery and surprise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI couldn\'t have picked a more captivating surprise.','Day 288:  Biz Travel Surprise! ','','publish','open','open','','day-288-biz-travel-surprise','','','2011-07-16 11:06:35','2011-07-16 18:06:35','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=6607',0,'post','',9),(6608,1,'2011-07-16 10:44:17','2011-07-16 17:44:17','Traveling for pleasure is glamorous.  Traveling for work is exhausting.   Does anyone disagree?   But when you work for Noble Publishing Superpower, they interject really cool and novel “stuff” into your day to combat the fatigue and pump you up.  Smart, aren’t they?   The first day of our Summer Sales Conference wasn’t applicable to my division, so a couple of colleagues and I flew in together on Monday afternoon.  After checking in, we stood in the lobby comparing room floor notes.   I audibly gasped.  (Yes, I do this almost on a daily basis – o.k. a daily basis – which is why I continually overuse this phrase in blog posts. Sorry, folks.)   I gasped again.  I heard a familiar sound that I hadn’t heard live in YEARS.  An ethereal, mystical sound that takes me to another time, another place, another world.   I’ll throw you a couple of hints:  Scotland.  Kilts.   Are you with me?   BAGPIPES!   Take.  My.  Breath.  Away.   Since I was a wee lass, I have been enchanted by the sound of bagpipes.  I am immediately spell-bound.   I ran to the window of the hotel with my perplexed colleagues in tow.   “LISTEN!!!  DO YOU HEAR THEM???”  (How could they NOT hear them?  They’re bagpipes for heaven’s sake.  They’re incredibly loud.)   More gasping.   “THEY’RE BAGPIPES!!!”  (Duh.)  “I LOVE BAGPIPES!!!”   “Yes, so do we, Michelle.”   “WHERE ARE THEY???  WE MUST FIND THEM!!!”   Fortunately, we have a new male team member who wasn’t lost in emotion over the bagpipes.  He offered, “It sounds as though they might be coming from upstairs.  Let’s go check it out.”   I nearly rolled over him and Britt with my suitcase and computer bag in a mad dash for the elevator.  We arrived at the second floor and headed towards the sound.  We noticed that they were performing on a stage in one of the ballrooms.  Outside the room, the name of Noble Publishing Superpower graced a poster on an easel.   I pushed my luggage up against a wall and sprinted into the ballroom while armed with my camera.  Mr. New Male Team Member and Britt followed.   I snapped photos for my improvised and surprise blog activity.   Thankfully, I remembered that my phone has video.  Pictures of bagpipes can’t compare to <em>that sound.</em>   Video   Our fearless leader with the cool and novel ideas announced the men behind the bagpipes:  the Chicago PD.   This made a gasping sap like me tear up with respect and reverence.   Going into Day 28?, Mr. New Male Team Member was interested in how I was going to manage squeezing a soul-scintillating activity into a crowded business travel day.   I explained that I was just going to have to let Chicago unfold before me.  It’s CHICAGO!  Surely, something is bound to happen.   Or as <strong>Mondo Beyondo</strong> reminds me, leave room in life for mystery and surprise.   I couldn’t have picked a more captivating surprise.','Day 288:  Biz Travel Surprise! ','','inherit','open','open','','6607-revision','','','2011-07-16 10:44:17','2011-07-16 17:44:17','',6607,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/16/6607-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(6609,1,'2011-07-16 10:51:02','2011-07-16 17:51:02','Traveling for pleasure is glamorous.  Traveling for work is exhausting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDoes anyone disagree?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut when you work for Noble Publishing Superpower, they interject really cool and novel “stuff” into your day to combat the fatigue and pump you up.  Smart, aren’t they?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe first day of our Summer Sales Conference wasn’t applicable to my division, so a couple of colleagues and I flew in together on Monday afternoon.  After checking in, we stood in the lobby comparing room floor notes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI heard a familiar sound that I hadn’t heard live in YEARS.  An ethereal, mystical sound that takes me to another time, another place, another world.\r\nI audibly gasped.  (Yes, I do this almost on a daily basis – o.k. a daily basis – which is why I continually overuse this phrase in blog posts. Sorry, folks.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI gasped again.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI’ll throw you a couple of hints:  Scotland.  Kilts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAre you with me?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBAGPIPES!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTake.  My.  Breath.  Away.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSince I was a wee lass, I have been enchanted by the sound of bagpipes.  When I hear them, I am spell-bound.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ran to the window of the hotel with my perplexed colleagues in tow.  I thought maybe a parade was about to pass by.  We were in downtown Chicago, so it was possible, I guess.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“LISTEN!!!  DO YOU HEAR THEM???”  (How could they NOT hear them?  They’re bagpipes for heaven’s sake.  They’re incredibly loud.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMore gasping.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“THEY’RE BAGPIPES!!!”  (Duh.)  “I LOVE BAGPIPES!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Yes, so do we, Michelle.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“WHERE ARE THEY???  WE MUST FIND THEM!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFortunately, we have a new male team member who wasn’t lost in emotion over the bagpipes.  He offered, “It sounds as though they might be coming from upstairs.  Let’s go check it out.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI nearly rolled over New Male Team Member and Britt with my suitcase and computer bag in a mad dash for the elevator.  We arrived at the second floor and headed towards the sound.  We noticed that they were performing on a stage in one of the ballrooms.  Outside the room, the name of Noble Publishing Superpower graced a poster on an easel.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI pushed my luggage up against a wall and sprinted into the ballroom while armed with my camera.  Mr. New Male Team Member and Britt followed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI snapped photos for my improvised and surprise blog activity.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThankfully, I remembered that my phone has video.  Pictures of bagpipes can’t compare to <em>that sound.</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur fearless leader with the cool and novel ideas announced the men behind the bagpipes:  the Chicago PD.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis made a gasping sap like me tear up with respect and reverence.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGoing into Day 288, Mr. New Male Team Member was interested in how I was going to manage squeezing a soul-scintillating activity into a crowded business travel day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI explained that I was just going to have to let Chicago unfold before me.  It’s CHICAGO!  Surely, something is bound to happen.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOr as <strong>Mondo Beyondo</strong> reminds me, leave room in life for mystery and surprise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI couldn\'t have picked a more captivating surprise.','Day 288:  Biz Travel Surprise! ','','inherit','open','open','','6607-revision-2','','','2011-07-16 10:51:02','2011-07-16 17:51:02','',6607,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/16/6607-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(6610,1,'2011-07-16 10:53:48','2011-07-16 17:53:48','Traveling for pleasure is glamorous.  Traveling for work is exhausting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDoes anyone disagree?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut when you work for Noble Publishing Superpower, they interject really cool and novel “stuff” into your day to combat the fatigue and pump you up.  Smart, aren’t they?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe first day of our Summer Sales Conference wasn’t applicable to my division, so a couple of colleagues and I flew in together on Monday afternoon.  After checking in, we stood in the lobby comparing room floor notes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI heard a familiar sound that I hadn’t heard live in YEARS.  An ethereal, mystical sound that takes me to another time, another place, another world.\r\nI audibly gasped.  (Yes, I do this almost on a daily basis – o.k. a daily basis – which is why I continually overuse this phrase in blog posts. Sorry, folks.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI gasped again.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI’ll throw you a couple of hints:  Scotland.  Kilts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAre you with me?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBAGPIPES!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTake.  My.  Breath.  Away.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSince I was a wee lass, I have been enchanted by the sound of bagpipes.  When I hear them, I am spell-bound.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ran to the window of the hotel with my perplexed colleagues in tow.  I thought maybe a parade was about to pass by.  We were in downtown Chicago, so it was possible, I guess.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“LISTEN!!!  DO YOU HEAR THEM???”  (How could they NOT hear them?  They’re bagpipes for heaven’s sake.  They’re incredibly loud.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMore gasping.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“THEY’RE BAGPIPES!!!”  (Duh.)  “I LOVE BAGPIPES!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Yes, so do we, Michelle.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“WHERE ARE THEY???  WE MUST FIND THEM!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFortunately, we have a new male team member who wasn’t lost in emotion over the bagpipes.  He offered, “It sounds as though they might be coming from upstairs.  Let’s go check it out.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI nearly rolled over New Male Team Member and Britt with my suitcase and computer bag in a mad dash for the elevator.  We arrived at the second floor and headed towards the sound.  We noticed that they were performing on a stage in one of the ballrooms.  Outside the room, the name of Noble Publishing Superpower graced a poster on an easel.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI pushed my luggage up against a wall and sprinted into the ballroom while armed with my camera.  Mr. New Male Team Member and Britt followed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI snapped photos for my improvised and surprise blog activity.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThankfully, I remembered that my phone has video.  Pictures of bagpipes can’t compare to <em>that sound.</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe width=\"480\" height=\"390\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/GVykwy7jD74\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur fearless leader with the cool and novel ideas announced the men behind the bagpipes:  the Chicago PD.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis made a gasping sap like me tear up with respect and reverence.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGoing into Day 288, Mr. New Male Team Member was interested in how I was going to manage squeezing a soul-scintillating activity into a crowded business travel day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI explained that I was just going to have to let Chicago unfold before me.  It’s CHICAGO!  Surely, something is bound to happen.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOr as <a href=\"https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=121586&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=175709\" target=\"ejejcsingle\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo</strong></a> reminds me, leave room in life for mystery and surprise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI couldn\'t have picked a more captivating surprise.','Day 288:  Biz Travel Surprise! ','','inherit','open','open','','6607-revision-3','','','2011-07-16 10:53:48','2011-07-16 17:53:48','',6607,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/16/6607-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(6611,1,'2011-07-16 10:53:54','2011-07-16 17:53:54','Traveling for pleasure is glamorous.  Traveling for work is exhausting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDoes anyone disagree?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut when you work for Noble Publishing Superpower, they interject really cool and novel “stuff” into your day to combat the fatigue and pump you up.  Smart, aren’t they?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe first day of our Summer Sales Conference wasn’t applicable to my division, so a couple of colleagues and I flew in together on Monday afternoon.  After checking in, we stood in the lobby comparing room floor notes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI heard a familiar sound that I hadn’t heard live in YEARS.  An ethereal, mystical sound that takes me to another time, another place, another world.\r\nI audibly gasped.  (Yes, I do this almost on a daily basis – o.k. a daily basis – which is why I continually overuse this phrase in blog posts. Sorry, folks.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI gasped again.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI’ll throw you a couple of hints:  Scotland.  Kilts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAre you with me?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBAGPIPES!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTake.  My.  Breath.  Away.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSince I was a wee lass, I have been enchanted by the sound of bagpipes.  When I hear them, I am spell-bound.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ran to the window of the hotel with my perplexed colleagues in tow.  I thought maybe a parade was about to pass by.  We were in downtown Chicago, so it was possible, I guess.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“LISTEN!!!  DO YOU HEAR THEM???”  (How could they NOT hear them?  They’re bagpipes for heaven’s sake.  They’re incredibly loud.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMore gasping.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“THEY’RE BAGPIPES!!!”  (Duh.)  “I LOVE BAGPIPES!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Yes, so do we, Michelle.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“WHERE ARE THEY???  WE MUST FIND THEM!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFortunately, we have a new male team member who wasn’t lost in emotion over the bagpipes.  He offered, “It sounds as though they might be coming from upstairs.  Let’s go check it out.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI nearly rolled over New Male Team Member and Britt with my suitcase and computer bag in a mad dash for the elevator.  We arrived at the second floor and headed towards the sound.  We noticed that they were performing on a stage in one of the ballrooms.  Outside the room, the name of Noble Publishing Superpower graced a poster on an easel.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI pushed my luggage up against a wall and sprinted into the ballroom while armed with my camera.  Mr. New Male Team Member and Britt followed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI snapped photos for my improvised and surprise blog activity.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThankfully, I remembered that my phone has video.  Pictures of bagpipes can’t compare to <em>that sound.</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe width=\"480\" height=\"390\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/GVykwy7jD74\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur fearless leader with the cool and novel ideas announced the men behind the bagpipes:  the Chicago PD.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis made a gasping sap like me tear up with respect and reverence.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGoing into Day 288, Mr. New Male Team Member was interested in how I was going to manage squeezing a soul-scintillating activity into a crowded business travel day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI explained that I was just going to have to let Chicago unfold before me.  It’s CHICAGO!  Surely, something is bound to happen.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOr as <a href=\"https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=121586&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=175709\" target=\"ejejcsingle\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo</strong></a> reminds me, leave room in life for mystery and surprise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI couldn\'t have picked a more captivating surprise.','Day 288:  Biz Travel Surprise! ','','inherit','open','open','','6607-revision-4','','','2011-07-16 10:53:54','2011-07-16 17:53:54','',6607,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/16/6607-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(6612,1,'2011-07-16 10:59:33','2011-07-16 17:59:33','Traveling for pleasure is glamorous.  Traveling for work is exhausting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDoes anyone disagree?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut when you work for Noble Publishing Superpower, they interject really cool and novel “stuff” into your day to combat the fatigue and pump you up.  Smart, aren’t they?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe first day of our Summer Sales Conference wasn’t applicable to my division, so a couple of colleagues and I flew in together on Monday afternoon.  After checking in, we stood in the lobby comparing room floor notes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>I heard a familiar sound that I hadn’t heard live in YEARS.  An ethereal, mystical sound that took me to another time, another place, another world.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI audibly gasped.  (Yes, I do this almost on a daily basis – o.k. a daily basis – which is why I continually overuse this phrase in blog posts. Sorry, folks.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI gasped again.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI’ll throw you a couple of hints:  Scotland.  Kilts.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAre you with me?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBAGPIPES!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\">Take.  My.  Breath.  Away</span>.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSince I was a wee lass, I have been enchanted by the sound of bagpipes.  When I hear them, I am spell-bound.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI ran to the window of the hotel with my perplexed colleagues in tow.  I thought maybe a parade was about to pass by.  We were in downtown Chicago, so it was possible, I guess.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“LISTEN!!!  DO YOU HEAR THEM???”  (How could they NOT hear them?  They’re bagpipes for heaven’s sake.  They’re incredibly loud.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMore gasping.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“THEY’RE BAGPIPES!!!”  (Duh.)  “I LOVE BAGPIPES!!!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Yes, so do we, Michelle.”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>“WHERE ARE THEY???  WE MUST FIND THEM!!!”</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFortunately, we have a new male team member who wasn’t lost in emotion over the bagpipes.  He offered, “It sounds as though they might be coming from upstairs.  Let’s go check it out.”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI nearly rolled over New Male Team Member and Britt with my suitcase and computer bag in a mad dash for the elevator.  We arrived at the second floor and headed towards the sound.  We noticed that they were performing on a stage in one of the ballrooms.  Outside the room, the name of Noble Publishing Superpower graced a poster on an easel.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTHE BAGPIPES WERE THERE FOR US!!!!  Now that\'s what I call a welcome!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI pushed my luggage up against a wall and sprinted into the ballroom while armed with my camera.  Mr. New Male Team Member and Britt followed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI snapped photos for my improvised and surprise blog activity.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, I remembered that my phone has video.  Pictures of bagpipes can’t compare to <em>that sound.</em>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/GVykwy7jD74\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"480\" height=\"390\"></iframe>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur fearless leader with the cool and novel ideas announced the men behind the bagpipes:  the Chicago PD.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis made a gasping sap like me tear up with respect and reverence.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nGoing into Day 288, Mr. New Male Team Member was interested in how I was going to manage squeezing a soul-scintillating activity into a crowded business travel day.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI explained that I was just going to have to let Chicago unfold before me.  It’s CHICAGO!  Surely, something is bound to happen.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOr as <a href=\"https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=121586&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=175709\" target=\"ejejcsingle\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo</strong></a> reminds me, leave room in life for mystery and surprise.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI couldn\'t have picked a more captivating surprise.','Day 288:  Biz Travel Surprise! ','','inherit','open','open','','6607-revision-5','','','2011-07-16 10:59:33','2011-07-16 17:59:33','',6607,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/16/6607-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(6740,1,'2011-07-25 01:11:37','2011-07-25 08:11:37','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200029.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6757\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200029-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Yes.  You read that correctly.  On Day 297, I trekked across Nepal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs an armchair traveler.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may recall from past posts on this blog, my friend, David aka Captain Adventure, travels to the most exotic locales around the world.  The more remote, the more semi-dangerous, the more that he has to \"rough it\", the better.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn other words, my upcoming cycling adventure through Tuscany is akin to a Sunday afternoon stroll for Captain Adventure.  Waaayyyyy too pedestrian for his tastes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn December, Captain Adventure traveled to <strong><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vinOwcerAXE\" target=\"_blank\">Burma</a></strong>.  He came back from his vacay and was laid off by his company.  Another American \"cut backs\" casualty.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nInstead of bemoaning his fate, Captain Adventure realized that now may be the only time in his life where he could fulfill his dream of taking off for 3 months to Nepal.  How\'s <em>that</em> for positive thinking?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI, selfish wench that I am, thought it was poor timing, considering that he and Sarah are my two friends that humor me the most with blog activity participation.  Hmph.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUpon his return from the Himalayas, Captain Adventure awoke from his jet lag induced hibernation and invited me over for divey-yet-delish Mexican and a front row slideshow.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6758\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"It only took me 16 years to find Tex-Mex in Arizona that is worthy.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00533-20110720-1855.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6758\" title=\"IMG00533-20110720-1855\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00533-20110720-1855-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAllow me to explain that David is a perfectionist when it comes to his slideshows (actually iMovies).  Once he releases the YouTube link, I will share it with you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, check out this sneak preview!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6748\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"David&#39;s all about authentic music to accompany the photos. I can relate.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200024.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6748\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200024-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6760\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Trekking through Nepal via armchair is thoroughly relaxing.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P72000271.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6760\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P72000271-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200031.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6753\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200031-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200030.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6752\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200030-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6751\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Can you imagine?!?! Breathtaking.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200028.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6751\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7200028-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh.  And guess what? On this very same Day 297, only a few days back from Nepal, Captain Adventure networked his way into a new job.  How\'s <em>that</em> for not sweating the small stuff?  And in the scheme of things, it\'s (mostly) <em>all</em> small stuff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is your idea of an Adventure?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n7-31-11 Update:  iMovie is up on YouTube!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<iframe width=\"560\" height=\"349\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/ufSOdUhHgiQ\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n&nbsp;','Day 297:  Trekking Across Nepal','','publish','open','open','','day-297-trekking-across-nepal','','','2011-07-31 19:10:08','2011-08-01 02:10:08','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=6740',0,'post','',6),(6614,1,'2011-07-16 11:02:36','2011-07-16 18:02:36','Traveling for pleasure is glamorous.  Traveling for work is exhausting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDoes anyone disagree?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut when you work for Noble Publishing Superpower, they interject really cool and novel “stuff” into your day to combat the fatigue and pump you up.  Smart, aren’t they?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe first day of our Summer Sales Conference wasn’t applicable to my division, so a couple of colleagues and I flew in together on Monday afternoon.  After checking in, we stood in the lobby comparing room floor notes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>I heard a familiar sound that I hadn’t heard live in YEARS.  An ethereal, mystical sound that took me to another time, another place, another world.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI audibly gasped.  (Yes, I do this almost on a daily basis – o.k. a daily basis – which is why I continually overuse this phrase in blog posts. Sorry, folks.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI gasped again.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI’ll throw you a couple of hints:  Scotland.  Kilts.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAre you with me?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBAGPIPES!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\">Take.  My.  Breath.  Away</span>.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSince I was a wee lass, I have been enchanted by the sound of bagpipes.  When I hear them, I am spell-bound.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI ran to the window of the hotel with my perplexed colleagues in tow.  I thought maybe a parade was about to pass by.  We were in downtown Chicago, so it was possible, I guess.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“LISTEN!!!  DO YOU HEAR THEM???”  (How could they NOT hear them?  They’re bagpipes for heaven’s sake.  They’re incredibly loud.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMore gasping.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“THEY’RE BAGPIPES!!!”  (Duh.)  “I LOVE BAGPIPES!!!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Yes, so do we, Michelle.”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>“WHERE ARE THEY???  WE MUST FIND THEM!!!”</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFortunately, we have a new male team member who wasn’t lost in emotion over the bagpipes.  He offered, “It sounds as though they might be coming from upstairs.  Let’s go check it out.”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI nearly rolled over New Male Team Member and Britt with my suitcase and computer bag in a mad dash for the elevator.  We arrived at the second floor and headed towards the sound.  We noticed that they were performing on a stage in one of the ballrooms.  Outside the room, the name of Noble Publishing Superpower graced a poster on an easel.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTHE BAGPIPES WERE THERE FOR US!!!!  Now that\'s what I call a welcome!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI pushed my luggage up against a wall and sprinted into the ballroom while armed with my camera.  Mr. New Male Team Member and Britt followed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI snapped photos for my improvised and surprise blog activity.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, I remembered that my camera has video.  Pictures of bagpipes can’t compare to <em>that sound.</em>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/GVykwy7jD74\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"480\" height=\"390\"></iframe>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur fearless leader with the cool and novel ideas announced the men behind the bagpipes:  the Chicago PD.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis made a gasping sap like me tear up with respect and reverence.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nGoing into Day 288, Mr. New Male Team Member was interested in how I was going to manage squeezing a soul-scintillating activity into a crowded business travel day.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI explained that I was just going to have to let Chicago unfold before me.  It’s CHICAGO!  Surely, something is bound to happen.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOr as <a href=\"https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=121586&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=175709\" target=\"ejejcsingle\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo</strong></a> reminds me, leave room in life for mystery and surprise.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI couldn\'t have picked a more captivating surprise.','Day 288:  Biz Travel Surprise! ','','inherit','open','open','','6607-revision-6','','','2011-07-16 11:02:36','2011-07-16 18:02:36','',6607,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/16/6607-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(6615,1,'2011-07-16 11:05:09','2011-07-16 18:05:09','Traveling for pleasure is glamorous.  Traveling for work is exhausting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDoes anyone disagree?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut when you work for Noble Publishing Superpower, they interject really cool and novel “stuff” into your day to combat the fatigue and pump you up.  Smart, aren’t they?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe first day of our Summer Sales Conference wasn’t applicable to my division, so a couple of colleagues and I flew in together on Monday afternoon.  After checking in, we stood in the lobby comparing room floor notes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>I heard a familiar sound that I hadn’t heard live in YEARS.  An ethereal, mystical sound that took me to another time, another place, another world.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI audibly gasped.  (Yes, I do this almost on a daily basis – o.k. a daily basis – which is why I continually overuse this phrase in blog posts. Sorry, folks.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI gasped again.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI’ll throw you a couple of hints:  Scotland.  Kilts.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAre you with me?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBAGPIPES!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\">Take.  My.  Breath.  Away</span>.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSince I was a wee lass, I have been enchanted by the sound of bagpipes.  When I hear them, I am spellbound.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI ran to the window of the hotel with my perplexed colleagues in tow.  I thought maybe a parade was about to pass by.  We were in downtown Chicago, so it was possible, I guess.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“LISTEN!!!  DO YOU HEAR THEM???”  (How could they NOT hear them?  They’re bagpipes for heaven’s sake.  They’re incredibly loud.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMore gasping.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“THEY’RE BAGPIPES!!!”  (Duh.)  “I LOVE BAGPIPES!!!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Yes, so do we, Michelle.”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>“WHERE ARE THEY???  WE MUST FIND THEM!!!”</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFortunately, we have a new male team member who wasn’t lost in emotion over the bagpipes.  He offered, “It sounds as though they might be coming from upstairs.  Let’s go check it out.”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI nearly rolled over New Male Team Member and Britt with my suitcase and computer bag in a mad dash for the elevator.  We arrived at the second floor and headed towards the sound.  We noticed that they were performing on a stage in one of the ballrooms.  Outside the room, the name of Noble Publishing Superpower graced a poster on an easel.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTHE BAGPIPES WERE THERE FOR US!!!!  Now that\'s what I call a welcome!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI pushed my luggage up against a wall and sprinted into the ballroom while armed with my camera.  Mr. New Male Team Member and Britt followed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI snapped photos for my improvised and surprise blog activity.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, I remembered that my camera has video.  Pictures of bagpipes can’t compare to <em>that sound.</em>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/GVykwy7jD74\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"480\" height=\"390\"></iframe>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur fearless leader with the cool and novel ideas announced the men behind the bagpipes:  the Chicago PD.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis made a gasping sap like me tear up with respect and reverence.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nGoing into Day 288, Mr. New Male Team Member was interested in how I was going to manage squeezing a soul-scintillating activity into a crowded business travel day.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI explained that I was just going to have to let Chicago unfold before me.  It’s CHICAGO!  Surely, something is bound to happen.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOr as <a href=\"https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=121586&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=175709\" target=\"ejejcsingle\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo</strong></a> reminds me, leave room in life for mystery and surprise.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI couldn\'t have picked a more captivating surprise.','Day 288:  Biz Travel Surprise! ','','inherit','open','open','','6607-autosave','','','2011-07-16 11:05:09','2011-07-16 18:05:09','',6607,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/16/6607-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(6616,1,'2011-07-16 11:04:03','2011-07-16 18:04:03','Traveling for pleasure is glamorous.  Traveling for work is exhausting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDoes anyone disagree?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut when you work for Noble Publishing Superpower, they interject really cool and novel “stuff” into your day to combat the fatigue and pump you up.  Smart, aren’t they?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe first day of our Summer Sales Conference wasn’t applicable to my division, so a couple of colleagues and I flew in together on Monday afternoon.  After checking in, we stood in the lobby comparing room floor notes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>I heard a familiar sound that I hadn’t heard live in YEARS.  An ethereal, mystical sound that took me to another time, another place, another world.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI audibly gasped.  (Yes, I do this almost on a daily basis – o.k. a daily basis – which is why I continually overuse this phrase in blog posts. Sorry, folks.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI gasped again.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI’ll throw you a couple of hints:  Scotland.  Kilts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAre you with me?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBAGPIPES!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\">Take.  My.  Breath.  Away</span>.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSince I was a wee lass, I have been enchanted by the sound of bagpipes.  When I hear them, I am spell-bound.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ran to the window of the hotel with my perplexed colleagues in tow.  I thought maybe a parade was about to pass by.  We were in downtown Chicago, so it was possible, I guess.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“LISTEN!!!  DO YOU HEAR THEM???”  (How could they NOT hear them?  They’re bagpipes for heaven’s sake.  They’re incredibly loud.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMore gasping.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“THEY’RE BAGPIPES!!!”  (Duh.)  “I LOVE BAGPIPES!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Yes, so do we, Michelle.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>“WHERE ARE THEY???  WE MUST FIND THEM!!!”</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFortunately, we have a new male team member who wasn’t lost in emotion over the bagpipes.  He offered, “It sounds as though they might be coming from upstairs.  Let’s go check it out.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI nearly rolled over New Male Team Member and Britt with my suitcase and computer bag in a mad dash for the elevator.  We arrived at the second floor and headed towards the sound.  We noticed that they were performing on a stage in one of the ballrooms.  Outside the room, the name of Noble Publishing Superpower graced a poster on an easel.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTHE BAGPIPES WERE THERE FOR US!!!!  Now that\'s what I call a welcome!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI pushed my luggage up against a wall and sprinted into the ballroom while armed with my camera.  Mr. New Male Team Member and Britt followed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI snapped photos for my improvised and surprise blog activity.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThankfully, I remembered that my camera has video.  Pictures of bagpipes can’t compare to <em>that sound.</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/GVykwy7jD74\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"480\" height=\"390\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur fearless leader with the cool and novel ideas announced the men behind the bagpipes:  the Chicago PD.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis made a gasping sap like me tear up with respect and reverence.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGoing into Day 288, Mr. New Male Team Member was interested in how I was going to manage squeezing a soul-scintillating activity into a crowded business travel day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI explained that I was just going to have to let Chicago unfold before me.  It’s CHICAGO!  Surely, something is bound to happen.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOr as <a href=\"https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=121586&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=175709\" target=\"ejejcsingle\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo</strong></a> reminds me, leave room in life for mystery and surprise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI couldn\'t have picked a more captivating surprise.','Day 288:  Biz Travel Surprise! ','','inherit','open','open','','6607-revision-7','','','2011-07-16 11:04:03','2011-07-16 18:04:03','',6607,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/16/6607-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(6617,1,'2011-07-16 11:05:41','2011-07-16 18:05:41','Traveling for pleasure is glamorous.  Traveling for work is exhausting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDoes anyone disagree?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut when you work for Noble Publishing Superpower, they interject really cool and novel “stuff” into your day to combat the fatigue and pump you up.  Smart, aren’t they?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe first day of our Summer Sales Conference wasn’t applicable to my division, so a couple of colleagues and I flew in together on Monday afternoon.  After checking in, we stood in the lobby comparing room floor notes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>I heard a familiar sound that I hadn’t heard live in YEARS.  An ethereal, mystical sound that took me to another time, another place, another world.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI audibly gasped.  (Yes, I do this almost on a daily basis – o.k. a daily basis – which is why I continually overuse this phrase in blog posts. Sorry, folks.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI gasped again.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI’ll throw you a couple of hints:  Scotland.  Kilts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAre you with me?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBAGPIPES!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\">Take.  My.  Breath.  Away</span>.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSince I was a wee lass, I have been enchanted by the sound of bagpipes.  When I hear them, I am spellbound.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ran to the window of the hotel with my perplexed colleagues in tow.  I thought maybe a parade was about to pass by.  We were in downtown Chicago, so it was possible, I guess.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“LISTEN!!!  DO YOU HEAR THEM???”  (How could they NOT hear them?  They’re bagpipes for heaven’s sake.  They’re incredibly loud.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMore gasping.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“THEY’RE BAGPIPES!!!”  (Duh.)  “I LOVE BAGPIPES!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Yes, so do we, Michelle.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>“WHERE ARE THEY???  WE MUST FIND THEM!!!”</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFortunately, we have a new male team member who wasn’t lost in emotion over the bagpipes.  He offered, “It sounds as though they might be coming from upstairs.  Let’s go check it out.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI nearly rolled over New Male Team Member and Britt with my suitcase and computer bag in a mad dash for the elevator.  We arrived at the second floor and headed towards the sound.  We noticed that they were performing on a stage in one of the ballrooms.  Outside the room, the name of Noble Publishing Superpower graced a poster on an easel.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTHE BAGPIPES WERE THERE FOR US!!!!  Now that\'s what I call a welcome!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI pushed my luggage up against a wall and sprinted into the ballroom while armed with my camera.  Mr. New Male Team Member and Britt followed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI snapped photos for my improvised and surprise blog activity.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThankfully, I remembered that my camera has video.  Pictures of bagpipes can’t compare to <em>that sound.</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/GVykwy7jD74\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"480\" height=\"390\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur fearless leader with the cool and novel ideas announced the men behind the bagpipes:  the Chicago PD.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis made a gasping sap like me tear up with respect and reverence.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGoing into Day 288, Mr. New Male Team Member was interested in how I was going to manage squeezing a soul-scintillating activity into a crowded business travel day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI explained that I was just going to have to let Chicago unfold before me.  It’s CHICAGO!  Surely, something is bound to happen.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOr as <a href=\"https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=121586&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=175709\" target=\"ejejcsingle\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo</strong></a> reminds me, leave room in life for mystery and surprise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI couldn\'t have picked a more captivating surprise.','Day 288:  Biz Travel Surprise! ','','inherit','open','open','','6607-revision-8','','','2011-07-16 11:05:41','2011-07-16 18:05:41','',6607,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/16/6607-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(6618,1,'2011-07-17 11:17:26','2011-07-17 18:17:26','','P7120034.JPG','The pose that I have requested to reenact with Def Leppard','inherit','open','open','','p7120034-jpg','','','2011-07-17 11:17:26','2011-07-17 18:17:26','',6619,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7120034.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6619,1,'2011-07-18 01:11:29','2011-07-18 08:11:29','Thanks to all of you who <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/06/day-279-need-your-help-for-70s-fashion-emergency/\" target=\"_blank\">cast your vote and chose my outfit</a></strong> for the 70s Party hosted by Noble Publishing Superpower.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd the winner is...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOption C!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img title=\"P7120034.JPG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7120034.jpg\" alt=\"P7120034\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" border=\"0\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Bonus Soul-Scintillation for Day 289:</strong>  </span>After being cooped up in the hotel for a full conference day, Britt and I escaped at 5 p.m. for a 2 hour walkathon of downtown Chicago.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<iframe width=\"600\" height=\"480\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/hrNFRVERM4A\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n&nbsp;','Day 289:  70s Party and My Kind of Town','','publish','open','closed','','day-28-70s-and-chicago-slideshow','','\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/06/day-279-need-your-help-for-70s-fashion-emergency/','2011-07-17 13:28:35','2011-07-17 20:28:35','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=6619',0,'post','',3),(6620,1,'2011-07-17 11:17:29','2011-07-17 18:17:29','<p>Don\'t forget Chicago theme song for slideshow!</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>Thanks to all of you who cast your vote and chose my outfit for the 70s Party hosted by Noble Publishing Superpower.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>And the winner is...</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>Option C!</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>Bonus Soul-Scintillation for Day 28?</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p> </p>\n<p><img style=\"float: left;\" title=\"P7120034.JPG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7120034.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"P7120034\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" /></p>\n<p> </p>','Day 28?:  70s and Chicago Slideshow','','inherit','open','open','','6619-revision','','','2011-07-17 11:17:29','2011-07-17 18:17:29','',6619,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/17/6619-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(6621,1,'2011-07-17 11:17:31','2011-07-17 18:17:31','<p>Don\'t forget Chicago theme song for slideshow!</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>Thanks to all of you who cast your vote and chose my outfit for the 70s Party hosted by Noble Publishing Superpower.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>And the winner is...</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>Option C!</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>Bonus Soul-Scintillation for Day 28?</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p> </p>\n<p><img style=\"float: left;\" title=\"P7120034.JPG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7120034.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"P7120034\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" /></p>\n<p> </p>','Day 28?:  70s and Chicago Slideshow','','inherit','open','open','','6619-revision-2','','','2011-07-17 11:17:31','2011-07-17 18:17:31','',6619,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/17/6619-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(6622,1,'2011-07-17 12:04:01','2011-07-17 19:04:01','Thanks to all of you who cast your vote and chose my outfit for the 70s Party hosted by Noble Publishing Superpower.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd the winner is...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOption C!\n\n<img style=\"float: left;\" title=\"P7120034.JPG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7120034.jpg\" alt=\"P7120034\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" border=\"0\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBonus Soul-Scintillation for Day 289','Day 289:  70s and Chicago Slideshow','','inherit','open','open','','6619-revision-3','','','2011-07-17 12:04:01','2011-07-17 19:04:01','',6619,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/17/6619-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(6624,1,'2011-07-17 12:06:01','2011-07-17 19:06:01','Thanks to all of you who cast your vote and chose my outfit for the 70s Party hosted by Noble Publishing Superpower.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd the winner is...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOption C!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img title=\"P7120034.JPG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7120034.jpg\" alt=\"P7120034\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" border=\"0\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBonus Soul-Scintillation for Day 289:  After being cooped up in the hotel for a full conference day, Britt and I escaped at 5 for a 2 hour walkathon of downtown Chicago.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 289:  70s and Chicago Slideshow','','inherit','open','open','','6619-revision-5','','','2011-07-17 12:06:01','2011-07-17 19:06:01','',6619,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/17/6619-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(6623,1,'2011-07-17 12:05:07','2011-07-17 19:05:07','Thanks to all of you who cast your vote and chose my outfit for the 70s Party hosted by Noble Publishing Superpower.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd the winner is...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOption C!\r\n\r\n<img title=\"P7120034.JPG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7120034.jpg\" alt=\"P7120034\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" border=\"0\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBonus Soul-Scintillation for Day 289:  After being cooped up in the hotel for a full conference day, Britt and I escaped at 5 for a 2 hour walkathon of downtown Chicago.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 289:  70s and Chicago Slideshow','','inherit','open','open','','6619-revision-4','','','2011-07-17 12:05:07','2011-07-17 19:05:07','',6619,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/17/6619-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(6625,1,'2011-07-17 12:09:23','2011-07-17 19:09:23','Thanks to all of you who <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/06/day-279-need-your-help-for-70s-fashion-emergency/\" target=\"_blank\">cast your vote and chose my outfit</a></strong>for the 70s Party hosted by Noble Publishing Superpower.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd the winner is...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOption C!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img title=\"P7120034.JPG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7120034.jpg\" alt=\"P7120034\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" border=\"0\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBonus Soul-Scintillation for Day 289:  After being cooped up in the hotel for a full conference day, Britt and I escaped at 5 p.m. for a 2 hour walkathon of downtown Chicago.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 289:  70s Party and My Kind of Town','','inherit','open','open','','6619-revision-6','','','2011-07-17 12:09:23','2011-07-17 19:09:23','',6619,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/17/6619-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(6626,1,'2011-07-17 12:10:26','2011-07-17 19:10:26','Thanks to all of you who <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/06/day-279-need-your-help-for-70s-fashion-emergency/\" target=\"_blank\">cast your vote and chose my outfit</a></strong>for the 70s Party hosted by Noble Publishing Superpower.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd the winner is...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOption C!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img title=\"P7120034.JPG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7120034.jpg\" alt=\"P7120034\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" border=\"0\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Bonus Soul-Scintillation for Day 289:</strong>  </span>After being cooped up in the hotel for a full conference day, Britt and I escaped at 5 p.m. for a 2 hour walkathon of downtown Chicago.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 289:  70s Party and My Kind of Town','','inherit','open','open','','6619-revision-7','','','2011-07-17 12:10:26','2011-07-17 19:10:26','',6619,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/17/6619-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(6627,1,'2011-07-17 13:20:25','2011-07-17 20:20:25','Thanks to all of you who <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/06/day-279-need-your-help-for-70s-fashion-emergency/\" target=\"_blank\">cast your vote and chose my outfit</a></strong>for the 70s Party hosted by Noble Publishing Superpower.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd the winner is...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOption C!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img title=\"P7120034.JPG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7120034.jpg\" alt=\"P7120034\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" border=\"0\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Bonus Soul-Scintillation for Day 289:</strong>  </span>After being cooped up in the hotel for a full conference day, Britt and I escaped at 5 p.m. for a 2 hour walkathon of downtown Chicago.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<iframe width=\"480\" height=\"390\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/hrNFRVERM4A\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 289:  70s Party and My Kind of Town','','inherit','open','open','','6619-revision-8','','','2011-07-17 13:20:25','2011-07-17 20:20:25','',6619,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/17/6619-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(6628,1,'2011-07-17 13:21:38','2011-07-17 20:21:38','Thanks to all of you who <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/06/day-279-need-your-help-for-70s-fashion-emergency/\" target=\"_blank\">cast your vote and chose my outfit</a></strong> for the 70s Party hosted by Noble Publishing Superpower.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd the winner is...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOption C!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img title=\"P7120034.JPG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7120034.jpg\" alt=\"P7120034\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" border=\"0\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Bonus Soul-Scintillation for Day 289:</strong>  </span>After being cooped up in the hotel for a full conference day, Britt and I escaped at 5 p.m. for a 2 hour walkathon of downtown Chicago.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<iframe width=\"480\" height=\"390\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/hrNFRVERM4A\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 289:  70s Party and My Kind of Town','','inherit','open','open','','6619-revision-9','','','2011-07-17 13:21:38','2011-07-17 20:21:38','',6619,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/17/6619-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(6629,1,'2011-07-17 13:24:56','2011-07-17 20:24:56','Thanks to all of you who <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/06/day-279-need-your-help-for-70s-fashion-emergency/\" target=\"_blank\">cast your vote and chose my outfit</a></strong> for the 70s Party hosted by Noble Publishing Superpower.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd the winner is...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOption C!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img title=\"P7120034.JPG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7120034.jpg\" alt=\"P7120034\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" border=\"0\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Bonus Soul-Scintillation for Day 289:</strong>  </span>After being cooped up in the hotel for a full conference day, Britt and I escaped at 5 p.m. for a 2 hour walkathon of downtown Chicago.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<iframe width=\"600\" height=\"480\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/hrNFRVERM4A\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n&nbsp;','Day 289:  70s Party and My Kind of Town','','inherit','open','open','','6619-revision-10','','','2011-07-17 13:24:56','2011-07-17 20:24:56','',6619,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/17/6619-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(6630,1,'2011-07-17 13:25:30','2011-07-17 20:25:30','Thanks to all of you who <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/06/day-279-need-your-help-for-70s-fashion-emergency/\" target=\"_blank\">cast your vote and chose my outfit</a></strong> for the 70s Party hosted by Noble Publishing Superpower.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd the winner is...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOption C!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img title=\"P7120034.JPG\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7120034.jpg\" alt=\"P7120034\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" border=\"0\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Bonus Soul-Scintillation for Day 289:</strong>  </span>After being cooped up in the hotel for a full conference day, Britt and I escaped at 5 p.m. for a 2 hour walkathon of downtown Chicago.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<iframe width=\"600\" height=\"480\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/hrNFRVERM4A\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen></iframe>\r\n&nbsp;','Day 289:  70s Party and My Kind of Town','','inherit','open','open','','6619-revision-11','','','2011-07-17 13:25:30','2011-07-17 20:25:30','',6619,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/17/6619-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(6632,1,'2011-07-17 13:32:51','2011-07-17 20:32:51','','Day 290:  Last Day of a Biz Trip','','inherit','open','open','','6631-revision','','','2011-07-17 13:32:51','2011-07-17 20:32:51','',6631,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/17/6631-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(6633,1,'2011-07-17 13:34:00','2011-07-17 20:34:00','couquet buffet ','Day 290:  Last Day of a Biz Trip','','inherit','open','open','','6631-revision-2','','','2011-07-17 13:34:00','2011-07-17 20:34:00','',6631,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/17/6631-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(6635,1,'2011-07-18 12:18:52','2011-07-18 19:18:52','When I was a child, my sister and I dreaded \"leftovers\" for dinner.  My Nana, living through The Great Depression, didn\'t throw away a morsel of anything.   To glamorize \"leftovers\" and make them more appealing, she made up a word:  Couquet Buffet.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt a Couquet Buffet, Nana would assemble a mishmash of foods that needed to be eaten before they spoiled.  She would then announce the Couquet Buffet featured attractions with her best Julia Child impersonation.  Jennie and I were hooked by the theatrics and gobbled everything up like good little girls.  Until we were teenagers and figured out that this whole Couquet Buffet thing was a bunch of smoke and mirrors.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nToday, I present to you a Couquet Buffet of my final day in Chicago.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nphoto:  Field Day at the Conference!  Yes, I blew bubbles at my table during one of the presentations.  How fun is that?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne of my fav colleagues (<strong>and adopted mother</strong>) flew in just in time for lunch and a couple of hours of laughter during the final sessions.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m used to navigating travel and airports solo.  It\'s a great change of pace to travel with other peeps.  You have a built-in support system who watches your stuff when you need to run to the restroom and shares their water with you when you suddenly feel parched in the security line.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI discovered that one of my colleagues was going to skydive on a second date over the weekend!  Whoa.  I shared my disclaimer on my 365 project:  Won\'t skydive or swim with sharks, but other than that, I\'m open!  She mentioned that she\'s swam with sharks.  She needs to start a blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nphoto:  Goodbye posh, hotel room!  Westin, yes, your beds are indeed heavenly.  But...I enjoyed two of my best hotel sleeps EVER at the JW Marriott in Chicago.  (JW Marriott, what\'s your bed secret???  The pillows were also divine.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have a reputation for befriending strangers on planes and taxi cab drivers.  I like to hear people\'s \"stories\" and what makes them tick.  Taxi drivers are particularly intriguing because generally they hail from different countries and cultures.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy taxi driver on this day arrived in Phoenix via Iran three years ago.  He knew no English at the time, and he didn\'t know how\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWednesday – conference Couquet Buffet: Field Day/Lenore/Traveling with Work Family (people can watch your stuff when you go to the bathroom and share their water in an emergency “parch”/Carvel?/Sharing dating stories (WILL skydive!)/Goodbye posh hotel room and best night’s sleep ever in a hotel (take that heavenly bed)','Day 290:  Last Day of a Biz Trip','','inherit','open','open','','6631-revision-3','','','2011-07-18 12:18:52','2011-07-18 19:18:52','',6631,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/18/6631-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(6636,1,'2011-07-18 12:40:52','2011-07-18 19:40:52','When I was a child, my sister and I dreaded \"leftovers\" for dinner.  My Nana, living through The Great Depression, didn\'t throw away a morsel of anything.   To glamorize \"leftovers\" and make them more appealing, she made up a word:  Couquet Buffet.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt a Couquet Buffet, Nana would assemble a mishmash of foods that needed to be eaten before they spoiled.  She would then announce the Couquet Buffet featured attractions with her best Julia Child impersonation.  Jennie and I were hooked by the theatrics and gobbled everything up like good little girls.  Until we were teenagers and figured out that this whole Couquet Buffet thing was a bunch of smoke and mirrors.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nToday, I present to you a Couquet Buffet of my final day in Chicago.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nphoto:  Field Day at the Conference!  Yes, I blew bubbles at my table during one of the presentations.  How fun is that?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne of my fav colleagues (<strong>and adopted mother</strong>) flew in just in time for lunch and a couple of hours of laughter during the final sessions.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m used to navigating travel and airports solo.  It\'s a great change of pace to travel with other peeps.  You have a built-in support system who watches your stuff when you need to run to the restroom and shares their water with you when you suddenly feel parched in the security line.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI discovered that one of my colleagues was going to skydive on a second date over the weekend!  Whoa.  I shared my disclaimer on my 365 project:  Won\'t skydive or swim with sharks, but other than that, I\'m open!  My colleague mentioned that she\'s swam with sharks.  She needs to start a blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nphoto:  Goodbye posh, hotel room!  Westin, yes, your beds are indeed heavenly.  But...I enjoyed two of my best hotel sleeps EVER at the JW Marriott in Chicago.  (JW Marriott, what\'s your bed secret???  The pillows were also divine.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have a reputation for befriending strangers on planes and taxi cab drivers.  I like to hear people\'s \"stories\" and what makes them tick.  Taxi drivers are particularly intriguing because generally they hail from different countries and cultures.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy taxi driver on this day arrived in Phoenix via Iran three years ago.  He knew no English at the time, and he didn\'t know how his Masters in Agriculture would transfer to a job here.  He came to the U.S. on a leap of faith and a dream.  He now speaks nearly perfect English, works two jobs (also a pharmacy tech at Walgreens) and is putting himself through school to earn a 3rd degree in nuclear medicine.  I also learned about his wife, her studies, his family, and his dog.  All in a twenty minute ride home from the airport.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUpon exiting the cab, he shook my hand, looked me in the eye, and thanked me for my tip.  How refreshing that there was no sense of entitlement.  Instead, a heartfelt thank you and a very real appreciation.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nGod Bless America.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 290:  Last Day of a Biz Trip','','inherit','open','open','','6631-revision-4','','','2011-07-18 12:40:52','2011-07-18 19:40:52','',6631,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/18/6631-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(6637,1,'2011-07-18 12:42:52','2011-07-18 19:42:52','When I was a child, my sister and I dreaded \"leftovers\" for dinner.  My Nana, living through The Great Depression, didn\'t throw away a morsel of anything.   To glamorize \"leftovers\" and make them more appealing, she made up a word:  Couquet Buffet.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt a Couquet Buffet, Nana would assemble a mishmash of foods that needed to be eaten before they spoiled.  She would then announce the Couquet Buffet featured attractions with her best Julia Child impersonation.  Jennie and I were hooked by the theatrics and gobbled everything up like good little girls.  Until we were teenagers and figured out that this whole Couquet Buffet thing was a bunch of smoke and mirrors.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nToday, I present to you a Couquet Buffet of my final day in Chicago.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nphoto:  Field Day at the Conference!  Yes, I blew bubbles at my table during one of the presentations.  How fun is that?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne of my fav colleagues (<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/16/day-259-show-stopper/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>and adopted mother</strong></a>) flew in just in time for lunch and a couple of hours of laughter during the final sessions.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m used to navigating travel and airports solo.  It\'s a great change of pace to travel with other peeps.  You have a built-in support system who watches your stuff when you need to run to the restroom and shares their water with you when you suddenly feel parched in the security line.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI discovered that one of my colleagues was going to skydive on a second date over the weekend!  Whoa.  I shared my disclaimer on my 365 project:  Won\'t skydive or swim with sharks, but other than that, I\'m open!  My colleague mentioned that she\'s swam with sharks.  She needs to start a blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nphoto:  Goodbye posh, hotel room!  Westin, yes, your beds are indeed heavenly.  But...I enjoyed two of my best hotel sleeps EVER at the <a href=\"http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chijw-jw-marriott-chicago/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>JW Marriott in Chicago</strong></a>.  (JW Marriott, what\'s your bed secret???  The pillows were also divine.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have a reputation for befriending strangers on planes and taxi cab drivers.  I like to hear people\'s \"stories\" and what makes them tick.  Taxi drivers are particularly intriguing because generally they hail from different countries and cultures.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy taxi driver on this day arrived in Phoenix via Iran three years ago.  He knew no English at the time, and he didn\'t know how his Masters in Agriculture would transfer to a job here.  He came to the U.S. on a leap of faith and a dream.  He now speaks nearly perfect English, works two jobs (also a pharmacy tech at Walgreens) and is putting himself through school to earn a 3rd degree in nuclear medicine.  I also learned about his wife, her studies, his family, and his dog.  All in a twenty minute ride home from the airport.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUpon exiting the cab, he shook my hand, looked me in the eye, and thanked me for my tip.  How refreshing that there was no sense of entitlement.  Instead, a heartfelt thank you and a very real appreciation.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nGod Bless America.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 290:  Last Day of a Biz Trip','','inherit','open','open','','6631-revision-5','','','2011-07-18 12:42:52','2011-07-18 19:42:52','',6631,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/18/6631-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(6638,1,'2011-07-18 12:43:35','2011-07-18 19:43:35','When I was a child, my sister and I dreaded \"leftovers\" for dinner.  My Nana, living through The Great Depression, didn\'t throw away a morsel of anything.   To glamorize \"leftovers\" and make them more appealing, she made up a word:  Couquet Buffet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt a Couquet Buffet, Nana would assemble a mishmash of foods that needed to be eaten before they spoiled.  She would then announce the Couquet Buffet featured attractions with her best Julia Child impersonation.  Jennie and I were hooked by the theatrics and gobbled everything up like good little girls.  Until we were teenagers and figured out that this whole Couquet Buffet thing was a bunch of smoke and mirrors.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToday, I present to you a Couquet Buffet of my final day in Chicago.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nphoto:  Field Day at the Conference!  Yes, I blew bubbles at my table during one of the presentations.  How fun is that?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne of my fav colleagues (<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/16/day-259-show-stopper/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>and adopted mother</strong></a>) flew in just in time for lunch and a couple of hours of laughter during the final sessions.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m used to navigating travel and airports solo.  It\'s a great change of pace to travel with other peeps.  You have a built-in support system who watches your stuff when you need to run to the restroom and shares their water with you when you suddenly feel parched in the security line.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI discovered that one of my colleagues was going to skydive on a second date over the weekend!  Whoa.  I shared my disclaimer on my 365 project:  Won\'t skydive or swim with sharks, but other than that, I\'m open!  My colleague mentioned that she\'s swam with sharks.  She needs to start a blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nphoto:  Goodbye posh, hotel room!  Westin, yes, your beds are indeed heavenly.  But...I enjoyed two of my best hotel sleeps EVER at the <a href=\"http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chijw-jw-marriott-chicago/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>JW Marriott in Chicago</strong></a>.  (JW Marriott, what\'s your bed secret???  The mattress, pillows, and comforter were divine.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have a reputation for befriending strangers on planes and taxi cab drivers.  I like to hear people\'s \"stories\" and what makes them tick.  Taxi drivers are particularly intriguing because generally they hail from different countries and cultures.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy taxi driver on this day arrived in Phoenix via Iran three years ago.  He knew no English at the time, and he didn\'t know how his Masters in Agriculture would transfer to a job here.  He came to the U.S. on a leap of faith and a dream.  He now speaks nearly perfect English, works two jobs (also a pharmacy tech at Walgreens) and is putting himself through school to earn a 3rd degree in nuclear medicine.  I also learned about his wife, her studies, his family, and his dog.  All in a twenty minute ride home from the airport.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUpon exiting the cab, he shook my hand, looked me in the eye, and thanked me for my tip.  How refreshing that there was no sense of entitlement.  Instead, a heartfelt thank you and a very real appreciation.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGod Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 290:  Last Day of a Biz Trip','','inherit','open','open','','6631-revision-6','','','2011-07-18 12:43:35','2011-07-18 19:43:35','',6631,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/18/6631-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(6639,1,'2011-07-20 01:11:28','2011-07-20 08:11:28','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140050.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6677 alignleft\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140050-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>I am not a \"crafts person\".  My mom is very crafty, but I didn\'t inherit her craftiness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I was recently in Portland, I came across a whimsical paper store with all sort of eclectic gifties and all-in-one craft kits.  A facilitated craft project!  Now <em>that</em> I can handle!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose the Birthday Card Facilitation because you can never have too many birthday cards on hand, right?  (The paper flowers were lovely, but I\'m not a fan of \"dust collectors\".)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I opened the package on Day 291, the project wasn\'t as turn-key as I thought it would be.  The four folded cards didn\'t necessarily color blend with the envelopes.  I wasn\'t sure what to do with the extra paper.  (I did turn one piece into a card, as that garish orange card they wanted me to use was hideous.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFacilitated Shmacilitated.  Necessary tools and glue were not included.  This project was not as turn-key as I originally anticipated. Luckily, I have a fully stocked former teacher closet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6665\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I had to call out the big guns. No one wants to receive a lopsided birthday card.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140065.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6665\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140065-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe finished project seemed dreadfully dull.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6664\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140069-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was the turtle.   Because nothing screams HAPPY BIRTHDAY louder than a turtle.  ???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400691.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6666\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400691-300x283.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"283\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI apologize in advance to all friends/family members who will receive my facilitated-craft-gone-bad-(and-boring) this year.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf anyone wants to volunteer to take The Turtle Card off of my hands, please send me your birthday and snail mail address.','Day 291:  Craft Project Gone Bad','','publish','open','open','','day-291-craft-project-gone-bad','','','2011-07-19 20:55:20','2011-07-20 03:55:20','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=6639',0,'post','',4),(6640,1,'2011-07-18 12:44:14','2011-07-18 19:44:14','','Day 291:  Facilitated Crafting ','','inherit','open','open','','6639-revision','','','2011-07-18 12:44:14','2011-07-18 19:44:14','',6639,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/18/6639-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(6641,1,'2011-07-18 20:15:43','2011-07-19 03:15:43','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-448','','','2011-07-18 20:15:43','2011-07-19 03:15:43','',6631,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7130045.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6642,1,'2011-07-18 20:17:02','2011-07-19 03:17:02','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-449','','','2011-07-18 20:17:02','2011-07-19 03:17:02','',6631,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7110020.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6643,1,'2011-07-18 20:17:54','2011-07-19 03:17:54','When I was a child, my sister and I dreaded \"leftovers\" for dinner.  My Nana, living through The Great Depression, didn\'t throw away a morsel of anything.   To glamorize \"leftovers\" and make them more appealing, she made up a word:  Couquet Buffet.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt a Couquet Buffet, Nana would assemble a mishmash of foods that needed to be eaten before they spoiled.  She would then announce the Couquet Buffet featured attractions with her best Julia Child impersonation.  Jennie and I were hooked by the theatrics and gobbled everything up like good little girls.  Until we were teenagers and figured out that this whole Couquet Buffet thing was a bunch of smoke and mirrors.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nToday, I present to you a Couquet Buffet of my final day in Chicago.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6641\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Field Day at the Conference\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7130045.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6641\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7130045-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nField Day at the Conference!  Yes, I blew bubbles at my table during one of the presentations.  How fun is that?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne of my fav colleagues (<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/16/day-259-show-stopper/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>and adopted mother</strong></a>) flew in just in time for lunch and a couple of hours of laughter during the final sessions.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m used to navigating travel and airports solo.  It\'s a great change of pace to travel with other peeps.  You have a built-in support system who watches your stuff when you need to run to the restroom and shares their water with you when you suddenly feel parched in the security line.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI discovered that one of my colleagues was going to skydive on a second date over the weekend!  Whoa.  I shared my disclaimer on my 365 project:  Won\'t skydive or swim with sharks, but other than that, I\'m open!  My colleague mentioned that she\'s swam with sharks.  She needs to start a blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7110020.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6642\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7110020-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nphoto:  Goodbye posh, hotel room!  Westin, yes, your beds are indeed heavenly.  But...I enjoyed two of my best hotel sleeps EVER at the <a href=\"http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chijw-jw-marriott-chicago/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>JW Marriott in Chicago</strong></a>.  (JW Marriott, what\'s your bed secret???  The mattress, pillows, and comforter were divine.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have a reputation for befriending strangers on planes and taxi cab drivers.  I like to hear people\'s \"stories\" and what makes them tick.  Taxi drivers are particularly intriguing because generally they hail from different countries and cultures.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy taxi driver on this day arrived in Phoenix via Iran three years ago.  He knew no English at the time, and he didn\'t know how his Masters in Agriculture would transfer to a job here.  He came to the U.S. on a leap of faith and a dream.  He now speaks nearly perfect English, works two jobs (also a pharmacy tech at Walgreens) and is putting himself through school to earn a 3rd degree in nuclear medicine.  I also learned about his wife, her studies, his family, and his dog.  All in a twenty minute ride home from the airport.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUpon exiting the cab, he shook my hand, looked me in the eye, and thanked me for my tip.  How refreshing that there was no sense of entitlement.  Instead, a heartfelt thank you and a very real appreciation.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nGod Bless America.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 290:  Last Day of a Biz Trip','','inherit','open','open','','6631-revision-7','','','2011-07-18 20:17:54','2011-07-19 03:17:54','',6631,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/18/6631-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(6645,1,'2011-07-18 20:18:54','2011-07-19 03:18:54','When I was a child, my sister and I dreaded \"leftovers\" for dinner.  My Nana, living through The Great Depression, didn\'t throw away a morsel of anything.   To glamorize \"leftovers\" and make them more appealing, she made up a word:  Couquet Buffet.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt a Couquet Buffet, Nana would assemble a mishmash of foods that needed to be eaten before they spoiled.  She would then announce the Couquet Buffet featured attractions with her best Julia Child impersonation.  Jennie and I were hooked by the theatrics and gobbled everything up like good little girls.  Until we were teenagers and figured out that this whole Couquet Buffet thing was a bunch of smoke and mirrors.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nToday, I present to you a Couquet Buffet of my final day in Chicago.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6641\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Field Day at the Conference\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7130045.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6641\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7130045-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYes, I blew bubbles at my table during one of the presentations.  How fun is that?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne of my fav colleagues (<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/16/day-259-show-stopper/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>and adopted mother</strong></a>) flew in just in time for lunch and a couple of hours of laughter during the final sessions.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI\'m used to navigating travel and airports solo.  It\'s a great change of pace to travel with other peeps.  You have a built-in support system who watches your stuff when you need to run to the restroom and shares their water with you when you suddenly feel parched in the security line.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI discovered that one of my colleagues was going to skydive on a second date over the weekend!  Whoa.  I shared my disclaimer on my 365 project:  Won\'t skydive or swim with sharks, but other than that, I\'m open!  My colleague mentioned that she\'s swam with sharks.  She needs to start a blog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6642\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Goodbye, Posh Hotel Room!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7110020.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6642\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7110020-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWestin, yes, your beds are indeed heavenly.  But...I enjoyed two of my best hotel sleeps EVER at the <a href=\"http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chijw-jw-marriott-chicago/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>JW Marriott in Chicago</strong></a>.  (JW Marriott, what\'s your bed secret???  The mattress, pillows, and comforter were divine.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have a reputation for befriending strangers on planes and taxi cab drivers.  I like to hear people\'s \"stories\" and what makes them tick.  Taxi drivers are particularly intriguing because generally they hail from different countries and cultures.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy taxi driver on this day arrived in Phoenix via Iran three years ago.  He knew no English at the time, and he didn\'t know how his Masters in Agriculture would transfer to a job here.  He came to the U.S. on a leap of faith and a dream.  He now speaks nearly perfect English, works two jobs (also a pharmacy tech at Walgreens) and is putting himself through school to earn a 3rd degree in nuclear medicine.  I also learned about his wife, her studies, his family, and his dog.  All in a twenty minute ride home from the airport.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUpon exiting the cab, he shook my hand, looked me in the eye, and thanked me for my tip.  How refreshing that there was no sense of entitlement.  Instead, a heartfelt thank you and a very real appreciation.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nGod Bless America.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 290:  Last Day of a Biz Trip','','inherit','open','open','','6631-revision-9','','','2011-07-18 20:18:54','2011-07-19 03:18:54','',6631,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/18/6631-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(6644,1,'2011-07-18 20:18:40','2011-07-19 03:18:40','When I was a child, my sister and I dreaded \"leftovers\" for dinner.  My Nana, living through The Great Depression, didn\'t throw away a morsel of anything.   To glamorize \"leftovers\" and make them more appealing, she made up a word:  Couquet Buffet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt a Couquet Buffet, Nana would assemble a mishmash of foods that needed to be eaten before they spoiled.  She would then announce the Couquet Buffet featured attractions with her best Julia Child impersonation.  Jennie and I were hooked by the theatrics and gobbled everything up like good little girls.  Until we were teenagers and figured out that this whole Couquet Buffet thing was a bunch of smoke and mirrors.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToday, I present to you a Couquet Buffet of my final day in Chicago.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6641\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Field Day at the Conference\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7130045.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6641\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7130045-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, I blew bubbles at my table during one of the presentations.  How fun is that?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne of my fav colleagues (<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/16/day-259-show-stopper/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>and adopted mother</strong></a>) flew in just in time for lunch and a couple of hours of laughter during the final sessions.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'m used to navigating travel and airports solo.  It\'s a great change of pace to travel with other peeps.  You have a built-in support system who watches your stuff when you need to run to the restroom and shares their water with you when you suddenly feel parched in the security line.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI discovered that one of my colleagues was going to skydive on a second date over the weekend!  Whoa.  I shared my disclaimer on my 365 project:  Won\'t skydive or swim with sharks, but other than that, I\'m open!  My colleague mentioned that she\'s swam with sharks.  She needs to start a blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6642\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Goodbye, Posh Hotel Room!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7110020.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6642\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7110020-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWestin, yes, your beds are indeed heavenly.  But...I enjoyed two of my best hotel sleeps EVER at the <a href=\"http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chijw-jw-marriott-chicago/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>JW Marriott in Chicago</strong></a>.  (JW Marriott, what\'s your bed secret???  The mattress, pillows, and comforter were divine.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have a reputation for befriending strangers on planes and taxi cab drivers.  I like to hear people\'s \"stories\" and what makes them tick.  Taxi drivers are particularly intriguing because generally they hail from different countries and cultures.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy taxi driver on this day arrived in Phoenix via Iran three years ago.  He knew no English at the time, and he didn\'t know how his Masters in Agriculture would transfer to a job here.  He came to the U.S. on a leap of faith and a dream.  He now speaks nearly perfect English, works two jobs (also a pharmacy tech at Walgreens) and is putting himself through school to earn a 3rd degree in nuclear medicine.  I also learned about his wife, her studies, his family, and his dog.  All in a twenty minute ride home from the airport.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUpon exiting the cab, he shook my hand, looked me in the eye, and thanked me for my tip.  How refreshing that there was no sense of entitlement.  Instead, a heartfelt thank you and a very real appreciation.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGod Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 290:  Last Day of a Biz Trip','','inherit','open','open','','6631-revision-8','','','2011-07-18 20:18:40','2011-07-19 03:18:40','',6631,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/18/6631-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(6646,1,'2011-07-20 13:11:34','2011-07-20 20:11:34','[caption id=\"attachment_6680\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"World&#39;s Smallest Movie Theater. You gotta love the charm of art houses.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7150070.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6680\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7150070-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYou know how most people go to \"dinner and a movie\" over the weekend?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYeah, I never do that.  I\'m weird that way.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis past weekend, I joined Sarah for dinner and a movie for the first time in I-don\'t-know-how-long.  She enticed me out by suggesting a movie at the art house (she knows me well) followed by dinner at a newly opened <a href=\"http://nourish123.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Nourish</strong> </a>whose slogan is \"comfort food with a healthy twist\".  (Yes, she does indeed know me well.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe Movie/Documentary:  <strong><a href=\"http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/project_nim/\" target=\"_blank\">Project Nim</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe movie follows a Columbia study in the 1970s where researchers attempted to see to what extent a chimpanzee could communicate with humans via sign language.  At first, everything is fun and games with the baby chimp.  Fun and games until someone gets hurt, that is.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt one point, I was so shaken that I thought I might need to leave the theater.  Fortunately, a happ<em>ier</em> twist quickly arrived.  (As happy as can be expected when a wild animal is forced into captivity for human \"study\".)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis film reinforced my strong belief that forcing animals out of their natural habitats for human study/research/entertainment is unacceptable.  I made a choice years ago to no longer attend zoos or marine parks.  I\'ve never heard one valid argument in support of the <em>animals</em>.  (Citing that animals live longer in captivity is ludicrous.  The natural circle of life isn\'t cruel.  Confining wild animals in cages is cruel.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI live in a city which touts a \"good zoo\".  Go take a look at our exhibits for the big cats and then tell me how on earth this is \"good\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn to sunnier topics...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNourish is everything it promotes itself to be.  I didn\'t know that an \"air-frier\" existed until Friday night.  I enjoyed the \"Air-fried Sweet Potato Fries\" immensely.  (After questioning a confused waiter, I determined that these are actually \"Air-fried Yams\", fyi.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes.  I know the difference between sweet potato and yams.  I\'m weird that way, too.','Day 292:  Non-traditional Dinner and a Movie','','publish','open','open','','day-292-non-traditional-dinner-and-a-movie','','','2011-07-19 21:46:39','2011-07-20 04:46:39','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=6646',0,'post','',0),(6647,1,'2011-07-18 20:20:54','2011-07-19 03:20:54','','Auto Draft','','inherit','open','open','','6646-revision','','','2011-07-18 20:20:54','2011-07-19 03:20:54','',6646,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/18/6646-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(6648,1,'2011-07-18 20:24:54','2011-07-19 03:24:54','When I was a child, my sister and I dreaded \"leftovers\" for dinner.  My Nana, living through The Great Depression, didn\'t throw away a morsel of anything.   To glamorize \"leftovers\" and make them more appealing, she made up a word:  Couquet Buffet.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt a Couquet Buffet, Nana would assemble a mishmash of foods that needed to be eaten before they spoiled.  She would then announce the Couquet Buffet featured attractions with her best Julia Child impersonation.  Jennie and I were hooked by the theatrics and gobbled everything up like good little girls.  Until we were teenagers and figured out that this whole Couquet Buffet thing was a bunch of smoke and mirrors.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nToday, I present to you a Couquet Buffet of my final day in Chicago.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6641\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Field Day at the Conference\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7130045.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6641\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7130045-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n<ul>\n	<li>Yes, I blew bubbles at my table during one of the presentations.  How fun is that?</li>\n	<li></li>\n	<li>One of my fav colleagues (<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/16/day-259-show-stopper/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>and adopted mother</strong></a>) flew in just in time for lunch and a couple of hours of laughter during the final sessions.</li>\n	<li></li>\n	<li>I\'m used to navigating travel and airports solo.  It\'s a great change of pace to travel with other peeps.  You have a built-in support system who watches your stuff when you need to run to the restroom and shares their water with you when you suddenly feel parched in the security line.</li>\n	<li></li>\n	<li>I discovered that one of my colleagues was going to skydive on a second date over the weekend!  Whoa.  I shared my disclaimer on my 365 project:  Won\'t skydive or swim with sharks, but other than that, I\'m open!  My colleague mentioned that she\'s swam with sharks.  She needs to start a blog.</li>\n</ul>\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6642\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Goodbye, Posh Hotel Room!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7110020.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6642\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7110020-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n<ul>\n	<li>Westin, yes, your beds are indeed heavenly.  But...I enjoyed two of my best hotel sleeps EVER at the <a href=\"http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chijw-jw-marriott-chicago/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>JW Marriott in Chicago</strong></a>.  (JW Marriott, what\'s your bed secret???  The mattress, pillows, and comforter were divine.)</li>\n</ul>\nLastlyI have a reputation for befriending strangers on planes and taxi cab drivers.  I like to hear people\'s \"stories\" and what makes them tick.  Taxi drivers are particularly intriguing because generally they hail from different countries and cultures.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy taxi driver on this day arrived in Phoenix via Iran three years ago.  He knew no English at the time, and he didn\'t know how his Masters in Agriculture would transfer to a job here.  He came to the U.S. on a leap of faith and a dream.  He now speaks nearly perfect English, works two jobs (also a pharmacy tech at Walgreens) and is putting himself through school to earn a 3rd degree in nuclear medicine.  I also learned about his wife, her studies, his family, and his dog.  All in a twenty minute ride home from the airport.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUpon exiting the cab, he shook my hand, looked me in the eye, and thanked me for my tip.  How refreshing that there was no sense of entitlement.  Instead, a heartfelt thank you and a very real appreciation.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nGod Bless America.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 290:  Last Day of a Biz Trip','','inherit','open','open','','6631-revision-10','','','2011-07-18 20:24:54','2011-07-19 03:24:54','',6631,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/18/6631-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(6649,1,'2011-07-18 20:25:15','2011-07-19 03:25:15','When I was a child, my sister and I dreaded \"leftovers\" for dinner.  My Nana, living through The Great Depression, didn\'t throw away a morsel of anything.   To glamorize \"leftovers\" and make them more appealing, she made up a word:  Couquet Buffet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt a Couquet Buffet, Nana would assemble a mishmash of foods that needed to be eaten before they spoiled.  She would then announce the Couquet Buffet featured attractions with her best Julia Child impersonation.  Jennie and I were hooked by the theatrics and gobbled everything up like good little girls.  Until we were teenagers and figured out that this whole Couquet Buffet thing was a bunch of smoke and mirrors.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToday, I present to you a Couquet Buffet of my final day in Chicago.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6641\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Field Day at the Conference\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7130045.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6641\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7130045-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Yes, I blew bubbles at my table during one of the presentations.  How fun is that?</li>\r\n	<li></li>\r\n	<li>One of my fav colleagues (<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/16/day-259-show-stopper/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>and adopted mother</strong></a>) flew in just in time for lunch and a couple of hours of laughter during the final sessions.</li>\r\n	<li></li>\r\n	<li>I\'m used to navigating travel and airports solo.  It\'s a great change of pace to travel with other peeps.  You have a built-in support system who watches your stuff when you need to run to the restroom and shares their water with you when you suddenly feel parched in the security line.</li>\r\n	<li></li>\r\n	<li>I discovered that one of my colleagues was going to skydive on a second date over the weekend!  Whoa.  I shared my disclaimer on my 365 project:  Won\'t skydive or swim with sharks, but other than that, I\'m open!  My colleague mentioned that she\'s swam with sharks.  She needs to start a blog.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6642\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Goodbye, Posh Hotel Room!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7110020.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6642\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7110020-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Westin, yes, your beds are indeed heavenly.  But...I enjoyed two of my best hotel sleeps EVER at the <a href=\"http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chijw-jw-marriott-chicago/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>JW Marriott in Chicago</strong></a>.  (JW Marriott, what\'s your bed secret???  The mattress, pillows, and comforter were divine.)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nLastly...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have a reputation for befriending strangers on planes and taxi cab drivers.  I like to hear people\'s \"stories\" and what makes them tick.  Taxi drivers are particularly intriguing because generally they hail from different countries and cultures.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy taxi driver on this day arrived in Phoenix via Iran three years ago.  He knew no English at the time, and he didn\'t know how his Masters in Agriculture would transfer to a job here.  He came to the U.S. on a leap of faith and a dream.  He now speaks nearly perfect English, works two jobs (also a pharmacy tech at Walgreens) and is putting himself through school to earn a 3rd degree in nuclear medicine.  I also learned about his wife, her studies, his family, and his dog.  All in a twenty minute ride home from the airport.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUpon exiting the cab, he shook my hand, looked me in the eye, and thanked me for my tip.  How refreshing that there was no sense of entitlement.  Instead, a heartfelt thank you and a very real appreciation.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGod Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 290:  Last Day of a Biz Trip','','inherit','open','open','','6631-revision-11','','','2011-07-18 20:25:15','2011-07-19 03:25:15','',6631,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/18/6631-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(6650,1,'2011-07-18 20:25:21','2011-07-19 03:25:21','When I was a child, my sister and I dreaded \"leftovers\" for dinner.  My Nana, living through The Great Depression, didn\'t throw away a morsel of anything.   To glamorize \"leftovers\" and make them more appealing, she made up a word:  Couquet Buffet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt a Couquet Buffet, Nana would assemble a mishmash of foods that needed to be eaten before they spoiled.  She would then announce the Couquet Buffet featured attractions with her best Julia Child impersonation.  Jennie and I were hooked by the theatrics and gobbled everything up like good little girls.  Until we were teenagers and figured out that this whole Couquet Buffet thing was a bunch of smoke and mirrors.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToday, I present to you a Couquet Buffet of my final day in Chicago.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6641\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Field Day at the Conference\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7130045.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6641\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7130045-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Yes, I blew bubbles at my table during one of the presentations.  How fun is that?</li>\r\n	<li></li>\r\n	<li>One of my fav colleagues (<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/16/day-259-show-stopper/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>and adopted mother</strong></a>) flew in just in time for lunch and a couple of hours of laughter during the final sessions.</li>\r\n	<li></li>\r\n	<li>I\'m used to navigating travel and airports solo.  It\'s a great change of pace to travel with other peeps.  You have a built-in support system who watches your stuff when you need to run to the restroom and shares their water with you when you suddenly feel parched in the security line.</li>\r\n	<li></li>\r\n	<li>I discovered that one of my colleagues was going to skydive on a second date over the weekend!  Whoa.  I shared my disclaimer on my 365 project:  Won\'t skydive or swim with sharks, but other than that, I\'m open!  My colleague mentioned that she\'s swam with sharks.  She needs to start a blog.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6642\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Goodbye, Posh Hotel Room!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7110020.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6642\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7110020-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Westin, yes, your beds are indeed heavenly.  But...I enjoyed two of my best hotel sleeps EVER at the <a href=\"http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chijw-jw-marriott-chicago/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>JW Marriott in Chicago</strong></a>.  (JW Marriott, what\'s your bed secret???  The mattress, pillows, and comforter were divine.)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nLastly...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have a reputation for befriending strangers on planes and taxi cab drivers.  I like to hear people\'s \"stories\" and what makes them tick.  Taxi drivers are particularly intriguing because generally they hail from different countries and cultures.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy taxi driver on this day arrived in Phoenix via Iran three years ago.  He knew no English at the time, and he didn\'t know how his Masters in Agriculture would transfer to a job here.  He came to the U.S. on a leap of faith and a dream.  He now speaks nearly perfect English, works two jobs (also a pharmacy tech at Walgreens) and is putting himself through school to earn a 3rd degree in nuclear medicine.  I also learned about his wife, her studies, his family, and his dog.  All in a twenty minute ride home from the airport.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUpon exiting the cab, he shook my hand, looked me in the eye, and thanked me for my tip.  How refreshing that there was no sense of entitlement.  Instead, a heartfelt thank you and a very real appreciation.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGod Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 290:  Last Day of a Biz Trip','','inherit','open','open','','6631-revision-12','','','2011-07-18 20:25:21','2011-07-19 03:25:21','',6631,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/18/6631-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(6651,1,'2011-07-18 20:25:42','2011-07-19 03:25:42','When I was a child, my sister and I dreaded \"leftovers\" for dinner.  My Nana, living through The Great Depression, didn\'t throw away a morsel of anything.   To glamorize \"leftovers\" and make them more appealing, she made up a word:  Couquet Buffet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt a Couquet Buffet, Nana would assemble a mishmash of foods that needed to be eaten before they spoiled.  She would then announce the Couquet Buffet featured attractions with her best Julia Child impersonation.  Jennie and I were hooked by the theatrics and gobbled everything up like good little girls.  Until we were teenagers and figured out that this whole Couquet Buffet thing was a bunch of smoke and mirrors.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToday, I present to you a Couquet Buffet of my final day in Chicago.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6641\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Field Day at the Conference\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7130045.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6641\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7130045-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Yes, I blew bubbles at my table during one of the presentations.  How fun is that?</li>\r\n	<li>One of my fav colleagues (<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/16/day-259-show-stopper/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>and adopted mother</strong></a>) flew in just in time for lunch and a couple of hours of laughter during the final sessions.</li>\r\n	<li>I\'m used to navigating travel and airports solo.  It\'s a great change of pace to travel with other peeps.  You have a built-in support system who watches your stuff when you need to run to the restroom and shares their water with you when you suddenly feel parched in the security line.</li>\r\n	<li>I discovered that one of my colleagues was going to skydive on a second date over the weekend!  Whoa.  I shared my disclaimer on my 365 project:  Won\'t skydive or swim with sharks, but other than that, I\'m open!  My colleague mentioned that she\'s swam with sharks.  She needs to start a blog.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6642\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Goodbye, Posh Hotel Room!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7110020.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6642\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7110020-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Westin, yes, your beds are indeed heavenly.  But...I enjoyed two of my best hotel sleeps EVER at the <a href=\"http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chijw-jw-marriott-chicago/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>JW Marriott in Chicago</strong></a>.  (JW Marriott, what\'s your bed secret???  The mattress, pillows, and comforter were divine.)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nLastly...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have a reputation for befriending strangers on planes and taxi cab drivers.  I like to hear people\'s \"stories\" and what makes them tick.  Taxi drivers are particularly intriguing because generally they hail from different countries and cultures.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy taxi driver on this day arrived in Phoenix via Iran three years ago.  He knew no English at the time, and he didn\'t know how his Masters in Agriculture would transfer to a job here.  He came to the U.S. on a leap of faith and a dream.  He now speaks nearly perfect English, works two jobs (also a pharmacy tech at Walgreens) and is putting himself through school to earn a 3rd degree in nuclear medicine.  I also learned about his wife, her studies, his family, and his dog.  All in a twenty minute ride home from the airport.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUpon exiting the cab, he shook my hand, looked me in the eye, and thanked me for my tip.  How refreshing that there was no sense of entitlement.  Instead, a heartfelt thank you and a very real appreciation.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGod Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 290:  Last Day of a Biz Trip','','inherit','open','open','','6631-revision-13','','','2011-07-18 20:25:42','2011-07-19 03:25:42','',6631,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/18/6631-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(6652,1,'2011-07-18 20:25:53','2011-07-19 03:25:53','When I was a child, my sister and I dreaded \"leftovers\" for dinner.  My Nana, living through The Great Depression, didn\'t throw away a morsel of anything.   To glamorize \"leftovers\" and make them more appealing, she made up a word:  Couquet Buffet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt a Couquet Buffet, Nana would assemble a mishmash of foods that needed to be eaten before they spoiled.  She would then announce the Couquet Buffet featured attractions with her best Julia Child impersonation.  Jennie and I were hooked by the theatrics and gobbled everything up like good little girls.  Until we were teenagers and figured out that this whole Couquet Buffet thing was a bunch of smoke and mirrors.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToday, I present to you a Couquet Buffet of my final day in Chicago.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6641\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Field Day at the Conference\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7130045.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6641\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7130045-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Yes, I blew bubbles at my table during one of the presentations.  How fun is that?</li>\r\n	<li>One of my fav colleagues (<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/16/day-259-show-stopper/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>and adopted mother</strong></a>) flew in just in time for lunch and a couple of hours of laughter during the final sessions.</li>\r\n	<li>I\'m used to navigating travel and airports solo.  It\'s a great change of pace to travel with other peeps.  You have a built-in support system who watches your stuff when you need to run to the restroom and shares their water with you when you suddenly feel parched in the security line.</li>\r\n	<li>I discovered that one of my colleagues was going to skydive on a second date over the weekend!  Whoa.  I shared my disclaimer on my 365 project:  Won\'t skydive or swim with sharks, but other than that, I\'m open!  My colleague mentioned that she\'s swam with sharks.  She needs to start a blog.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6642\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Goodbye, Posh Hotel Room!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7110020.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6642\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7110020-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Westin, yes, your beds are indeed heavenly.  But...I enjoyed two of my best hotel sleeps EVER at the <a href=\"http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chijw-jw-marriott-chicago/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>JW Marriott in Chicago</strong></a>.  (JW Marriott, what\'s your bed secret???  The mattress, pillows, and comforter were divine.)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nLastly...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have a reputation for befriending strangers on planes and taxi cab drivers.  I like to hear people\'s \"stories\" and what makes them tick.  Taxi drivers are particularly intriguing because generally they hail from different countries and cultures.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy taxi driver on this day arrived in Phoenix via Iran three years ago.  He knew no English at the time, and he didn\'t know how his Masters in Agriculture would transfer to a job here.  He came to the U.S. on a leap of faith and a dream.  He now speaks nearly perfect English, works two jobs (also a pharmacy tech at Walgreens) and is putting himself through school to earn a 3rd degree in nuclear medicine.  I also learned about his wife, her studies, his family, and his dog.  All in a twenty minute ride home from the airport.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUpon exiting the cab, he shook my hand, looked me in the eye, and thanked me for my tip.  How refreshing that there was no sense of entitlement.  Instead, a heartfelt thank you and a very real appreciation.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGod Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 290:  Last Day of a Biz Trip','','inherit','open','open','','6631-revision-14','','','2011-07-18 20:25:53','2011-07-19 03:25:53','',6631,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/18/6631-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(6653,1,'2011-07-18 20:27:02','2011-07-19 03:27:02','When I was a child, my sister and I dreaded \"leftovers\" for dinner.  My Nana, living through The Great Depression, didn\'t throw away a morsel of anything.   To glamorize \"leftovers\" and make them more appealing, she made up a word:  Couquet Buffet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt a Couquet Buffet, Nana would assemble a mishmash of foods that needed to be eaten before they spoiled.  She would then announce the Couquet Buffet featured attractions with her best Julia Child impersonation.  Jennie and I were hooked by the theatrics and gobbled everything up like good little girls.  Until we were teenagers and figured out that this whole Couquet Buffet thing was a bunch of smoke and mirrors.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToday, I present to you a Couquet Buffet of my final day in Chicago.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6641\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Field Day at the Conference\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7130045.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6641\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7130045-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Yes, I blew bubbles at my table during one of the presentations.  How fun is that?</li>\r\n	<li>One of my fav colleagues (<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/16/day-259-show-stopper/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>and adopted mother</strong></a>) flew in just in time for lunch and a couple of hours of laughter during the final sessions.</li>\r\n	<li>I\'m used to navigating travel and airports solo.  It\'s a great change of pace to travel with other peeps.  You have a built-in support system who watches your stuff when you need to run to the restroom and shares their water with you when you suddenly feel parched in the security line.</li>\r\n	<li>I discovered that one of my colleagues was going to skydive on a second date over the weekend!  Whoa.  I shared my disclaimer on my 365 project:  Won\'t skydive or swim with sharks, but other than that, I\'m open!  My colleague mentioned that she\'s swam with sharks.  She needs to start a blog.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6642\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Goodbye, Posh Hotel Room!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7110020.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6642\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7110020-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Westin, yes, your beds are indeed heavenly.  But...I enjoyed two of my best hotel sleeps EVER at the <a href=\"http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chijw-jw-marriott-chicago/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>JW Marriott in Chicago</strong></a>.  (JW Marriott, what\'s your bed secret???  The mattress, pillows, and comforter were divine.)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nLastly...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have a reputation for befriending strangers on planes and taxi cab drivers.  I like to hear people\'s \"stories\" and what makes them tick.  Taxi drivers are particularly intriguing because generally they hail from different countries and cultures.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy taxi driver on this day arrived in Phoenix via Iran three years ago.  He knew no English at the time, and he didn\'t know how his Masters in Agriculture would transfer to a job here.  He came to the U.S. on a leap of faith and a dream.  He now speaks nearly perfect English, works two jobs (also a pharmacy tech at Walgreens) and is putting himself through school to earn a 3rd degree in nuclear medicine.  I also learned about his wife, her studies, his family, and his dog.  All in a twenty minute ride home from the airport.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUpon exiting the cab, he shook my hand, looked me in the eye, and thanked me for my tip.  How refreshing that there was no sense of entitlement.  Instead, a heartfelt thank you and a very real appreciation.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGod Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 290:  Last Day of a Biz Trip','','inherit','open','open','','6631-revision-15','','','2011-07-18 20:27:02','2011-07-19 03:27:02','',6631,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/18/6631-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(6654,1,'2011-07-18 20:28:26','2011-07-19 03:28:26','When I was a child, my sister and I dreaded \"leftovers\" for dinner.  My Nana, living through The Great Depression, didn\'t throw away a morsel of anything.   To glamorize \"leftovers\" and make them more appealing, she made up a word:  Couquet Buffet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt a Couquet Buffet, Nana would assemble a mishmash of foods that needed to be eaten before they spoiled.  She would then announce the Couquet Buffet featured attractions with her best Julia Child impersonation.  Jennie and I were hooked by the theatrics and gobbled everything up like good little girls.  Until we were teenagers and figured out that this whole Couquet Buffet thing was a bunch of smoke and mirrors.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToday, I present to you a Couquet Buffet of my final day in Chicago.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6641\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Field Day at the Conference\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7130045.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6641\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7130045-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Yes, I blew bubbles at my table during one of the presentations.  How fun is that?</li>\r\n	<li>One of my fav colleagues (<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/16/day-259-show-stopper/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>and adopted mother</strong></a>) flew in just in time for lunch and a couple of hours of laughter during the final sessions.</li>\r\n	<li>I\'m used to navigating travel and airports solo.  It\'s a great change of pace to travel with other peeps.  You have a built-in support system who watches your stuff when you need to run to the restroom and shares their water with you when you suddenly feel parched in the security line.</li>\r\n	<li>I discovered that one of my colleagues was going to skydive on a second date over the weekend!  Whoa.  I shared my disclaimer on my 365 project:  Won\'t skydive or swim with sharks, but other than that, I\'m open!  My colleague mentioned that she\'s swam with sharks.  She needs to start a blog.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6642\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Goodbye, Posh Hotel Room!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7110020.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6642\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7110020-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Westin, yes, your beds are indeed heavenly.  But...I enjoyed two of my best hotel sleeps EVER at the <a href=\"http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chijw-jw-marriott-chicago/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>JW Marriott in Chicago</strong></a>.  (JW Marriott, what\'s your bed secret???  The mattress, pillows, and comforter were divine.)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nLastly...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have a reputation for befriending strangers on planes and taxi cab drivers.  I like to hear people\'s \"stories\" and what makes them tick.  Taxi drivers are particularly intriguing because they usually hail from different countries and cultures.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy taxi driver on this day arrived in Phoenix via Iran three years ago.  He knew no English at the time, and he didn\'t know how his Masters in Agriculture would transfer to a job here.  He came to the U.S. on a leap of faith and a dream.  He now speaks nearly perfect English, works two jobs (also a pharmacy tech at Walgreens) and is putting himself through school to earn a 3rd degree in nuclear medicine.  I also learned about his wife, her studies, his family, and his dog.  All in a twenty minute ride home from the airport.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUpon exiting the cab, he shook my hand, looked me in the eye, and thanked me for my tip.  How refreshing that there was no sense of entitlement.  Instead, a heartfelt thank you and a very real appreciation.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGod Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 290:  Last Day of a Biz Trip','','inherit','open','open','','6631-revision-16','','','2011-07-18 20:28:26','2011-07-19 03:28:26','',6631,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/18/6631-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(6655,1,'2011-07-18 20:28:32','2011-07-19 03:28:32','When I was a child, my sister and I dreaded \"leftovers\" for dinner.  My Nana, living through The Great Depression, didn\'t throw away a morsel of anything.   To glamorize \"leftovers\" and make them more appealing, she made up a word:  Couquet Buffet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt a Couquet Buffet, Nana would assemble a mishmash of foods that needed to be eaten before they spoiled.  She would then announce the Couquet Buffet featured attractions with her best Julia Child impersonation.  Jennie and I were hooked by the theatrics and gobbled everything up like good little girls.  Until we were teenagers and figured out that this whole Couquet Buffet thing was a bunch of smoke and mirrors.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToday, I present to you a Couquet Buffet of my final day in Chicago.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6641\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Field Day at the Conference\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7130045.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6641\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7130045-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Yes, I blew bubbles at my table during one of the presentations.  How fun is that?</li>\r\n	<li>One of my fav colleagues (<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/16/day-259-show-stopper/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>and adopted mother</strong></a>) flew in just in time for lunch and a couple of hours of laughter during the final sessions.</li>\r\n	<li>I\'m used to navigating travel and airports solo.  It\'s a great change of pace to travel with other peeps.  You have a built-in support system who watches your stuff when you need to run to the restroom and shares their water with you when you suddenly feel parched in the security line.</li>\r\n	<li>I discovered that one of my colleagues was going to skydive on a second date over the weekend!  Whoa.  I shared my disclaimer on my 365 project:  Won\'t skydive or swim with sharks, but other than that, I\'m open!  My colleague mentioned that she\'s swam with sharks.  She needs to start a blog.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6642\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Goodbye, Posh Hotel Room!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7110020.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6642\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7110020-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Westin, yes, your beds are indeed heavenly.  But...I enjoyed two of my best hotel sleeps EVER at the <a href=\"http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chijw-jw-marriott-chicago/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>JW Marriott in Chicago</strong></a>.  (JW Marriott, what\'s your bed secret???  The mattress, pillows, and comforter were divine.)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nLastly...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have a reputation for befriending strangers on planes and taxi cab drivers.  I like to hear people\'s \"stories\" and what makes them tick.  Taxi drivers are particularly intriguing because they usually hail from different countries and cultures.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy taxi driver on this day arrived in Phoenix via Iran three years ago.  He knew no English at the time, and he didn\'t know how his Masters in Agriculture would transfer to a job here.  He came to the U.S. on a leap of faith and a dream.  He now speaks nearly perfect English, works two jobs (also a pharmacy tech at Walgreens) and is putting himself through school to earn a 3rd degree in nuclear medicine.  I also learned about his wife, her studies, his family, and his dog.  All in a twenty minute ride home from the airport.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUpon exiting the cab, he shook my hand, looked me in the eye, and thanked me for my tip.  How refreshing that there was no sense of entitlement.  Instead, a heartfelt thank you and a very real appreciation.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGod Bless America.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 290:  Last Day of a Biz Trip','','inherit','open','open','','6631-revision-17','','','2011-07-18 20:28:32','2011-07-19 03:28:32','',6631,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/18/6631-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(6656,1,'2011-07-18 20:32:50','2011-07-19 03:32:50','When I was a child, my sister and I dreaded \"leftovers\" for dinner.  My Nana, living through The Great Depression, didn\'t throw away a morsel of anything.   To glamorize \"leftovers\" and make them more appealing, she made up a word:  Couquet Buffet.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt a Couquet Buffet, Nana would assemble a mishmash of foods that needed to be eaten before they spoiled.  She would then announce the Couquet Buffet featured attractions with her best Julia Child impersonation.  Jennie and I were hooked by the theatrics and gobbled everything up like good little girls.  Until we were teenagers and figured out that this whole Couquet Buffet thing was a bunch of smoke and mirrors.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nToday, I present to you a Couquet Buffet of my final day in Chicago.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6641\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Field Day at the Conference\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7130045.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6641\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7130045-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n<ul>\n	<li>Yes, I blew bubbles at my table during one of the presentations.  How fun is that?</li>\n	<li>One of my fav colleagues (<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/16/day-259-show-stopper/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>and adopted mother</strong></a>) flew in just in time for lunch and a couple of hours of laughter during the final sessions.</li>\n	<li>I\'m used to navigating travel and airports solo.  It\'s a great change of pace to travel with other peeps.  You have a built-in support system who watches your stuff when you need to run to the restroom and shares their water with you when you suddenly feel parched in the security line.</li>\n	<li>I discovered that one of my colleagues was going to skydive on a second date over the weekend!  Whoa.  I shared my disclaimer on my 365 project:  Won\'t skydive or swim with sharks, but other than that, I\'m open!  My colleague mentioned that she\'s swam with sharks.  She needs to start a blog.</li>\n</ul>\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6642\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Goodbye, Posh Hotel Room!\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7110020.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6642\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7110020-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n<ul>\n	<li>Westin, yes, your beds are indeed heavenly.  But...I enjoyed two of my best hotel sleeps EVER at the <a href=\"http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chijw-jw-marriott-chicago/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>JW Marriott in Chicago</strong></a>.  (JW Marriott, what\'s your bed secret???  The mattress, pillows, and comforter were divine.)</li>\n</ul>\nLastly...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI have a reputation for befriending strangers on planes and taxi cab drivers.  I like to hear people\'s \"stories\" and what makes them tick.  Taxi drivers are particularly intriguing because they usually hail from different countries and cultures.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy taxi driver on this day arrived in Phoenix via Iran three years ago.  He knew no English at the time, and he didn\'t know how his Masters in Agriculture would transfer to a job here.  He came to the U.S. on a leap of faith and a dream.  He now speaks nearly perfect English, works two jobs (also a pharmacy tech at Walgreens) and is putting himself through school to earn a 3rd degree in nuclear medicine.  I also learned about his wife, her studies, his family, and his dog.  All in a twenty minute ride home from the airport.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUpon exiting the cab, he shook my hand, looked me in the eye, and thanked me for my tip.  How refreshing that there was no sense of entitlement.  Instead, a heartfelt thank you and a very real appreciation.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nGod Bless America.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 290:  Last Day of a Biz Trip','','inherit','open','open','','6631-autosave','','','2011-07-18 20:32:50','2011-07-19 03:32:50','',6631,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/18/6631-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(6860,1,'2011-07-27 16:11:10','2011-07-27 23:11:10','','Auto Draft','','inherit','open','open','','6859-revision','','','2011-07-27 16:11:10','2011-07-27 23:11:10','',6859,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/27/6859-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(6658,1,'2011-07-19 11:40:06','2011-07-19 18:40:06','I am not a \"crafts person\".  My mom is very crafty, but I didn\'t inherit her craftiness.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I was recently in Portland, I came across a whimsical paper store with all sort of eclectic gifties and all-in-one craft kits.  A facilitated craft project!  Now <em>that</em> I can handle! I chose the Birthday Card Facilitation because you can never have too many birthday cards on hand, right?  (The paper flowers were lovely, but I\'m not a fan of \"dust collectors\".)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I opened the package on Day 291, the project wasn\'t as turn-key as I thought it would be.  The four folded cards didn\'t necessarily color blend with the envelopes.  I wasn\'t sure what to do with the extra paper.  (I did turn one piece into a card, as that garish orange card they wanted me to use was hideous.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then there was the turtle... Because nothing screams HAPPY BIRTHDAY louder than a turtle.  ???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI apologize in advance to all friends/family members who will receive my facilitated-craft-gone-bad-(and-boring) this year.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf anyone wants to volunteer to take The Turtle Card off of my hands, please send me your birthday and snail mail address.','Day 291:  Facilitated Craft Project ','','inherit','open','open','','6639-revision-2','','','2011-07-19 11:40:06','2011-07-19 18:40:06','',6639,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/19/6639-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(6659,1,'2011-07-19 11:41:39','2011-07-19 18:41:39','I am not a \"crafts person\".  My mom is very crafty, but I didn\'t inherit her craftiness.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I was recently in Portland, I came across a whimsical paper store with all sort of eclectic gifties and all-in-one craft kits.  A facilitated craft project!  Now <em>that</em> I can handle! I chose the Birthday Card Facilitation because you can never have too many birthday cards on hand, right?  (The paper flowers were lovely, but I\'m not a fan of \"dust collectors\".)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I opened the package on Day 291, the project wasn\'t as turn-key as I thought it would be.  The four folded cards didn\'t necessarily color blend with the envelopes.  I wasn\'t sure what to do with the extra paper.  (I did turn one piece into a card, as that garish orange card they wanted me to use was hideous.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then there was the turtle... Because nothing screams HAPPY BIRTHDAY louder than a turtle.  ???\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI apologize in advance to all friends/family members who will receive my facilitated-craft-gone-bad-(and-boring) this year.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf anyone wants to volunteer to take The Turtle Card off of my hands, please send me your birthday and snail mail address.','Day 291:  Facilitated Craft Project ','','inherit','open','open','','6639-revision-3','','','2011-07-19 11:41:39','2011-07-19 18:41:39','',6639,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/19/6639-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(6660,1,'2011-07-19 11:54:37','2011-07-19 18:54:37','You know how most people go to \"dinner and a movie\" over the weekend?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYeah, I never do that.  I\'m weird that way.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis past weekend, I joined Sarah for dinner and a movie for the first time in I-don\'t-know-how-long.  She enticed me out by suggesting a movie at the art house (she knows me well) followed by dinner at a newly opened Nourish whose slogan is \"comfort food with a healthy twist\".  (Yes, she does indeed\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 292:  Non-traditional Dinner & a Movie','','inherit','open','open','','6646-revision-2','','','2011-07-19 11:54:37','2011-07-19 18:54:37','',6646,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/19/6646-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(6859,1,'2011-07-28 01:11:24','2011-07-28 08:11:24','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7250030.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6863\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7250030-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>I\'m a sucker for all things whimsical.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTherefore, I couldn\'t walk away without purchasing Flying Wish Paper during my recent trip to my New Favorite Store on Earth, <strong><a href=\"http://www.powells.com/locations/powells-city-of-books/\" target=\"_blank\">Powell\'s City of Books in Portland</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn fact, I was so taken with the Flying Wish Paper, that I purchased two.  The other one is currently in my \"gift stash\" awaiting the perfect recipient for a birthday or other holiday.  Perhaps it may be you!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI will allow the videos to speak for themselves.  There are 5 videos.  (They are short, I promise).  Use your powers of deduction to answer the question, \"Why in heaven\'s name are there five videos instead of one???\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span>I would like to preface these gems by saying that I am horrified by my sound effects.  If I were a random viewer on YouTube, I would wonder, \"Who is this Late Bloomer chick, anyway?  She\'s super-freaky!  Yow!\"</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am casting my pride aside and airing them in the name of \"radical transparency\" blogging.  (I just came across that phrase a few weeks ago, and I\'m throwing it around everywhere.  It makes me sound really cool, doesn\'t it?  And I need to sound really cool after those sound effects.  Trust me on this one.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7250035.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6864\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7250035-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7250036.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6865\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7250036-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.flyingwishpaper.com\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.FlyingWishPaper.com </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/RWuxGMBWOUk\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"425\" height=\"349\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/i76c8iA24i8\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"425\" height=\"349\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/aGEBZ1A0ZfE\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"425\" height=\"349\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/oa8TKyws1OE\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"425\" height=\"349\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/JqIsYi2XXwI\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"425\" height=\"349\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 301:  My Wishes Went Up In Smoke','','publish','open','open','','day-301-my-wishes-went-up-in-smoke','','','2011-07-27 20:44:33','2011-07-28 03:44:33','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=6859',0,'post','',9),(6677,1,'2011-07-19 20:54:48','2011-07-20 03:54:48','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-450','','','2011-07-19 20:54:48','2011-07-20 03:54:48','',6639,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140050.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6678,1,'2011-07-19 20:55:09','2011-07-20 03:55:09','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140050.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6677\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140050-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>I am not a \"crafts person\".  My mom is very crafty, but I didn\'t inherit her craftiness.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I was recently in Portland, I came across a whimsical paper store with all sort of eclectic gifties and all-in-one craft kits.  A facilitated craft project!  Now <em>that</em> I can handle!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI chose the Birthday Card Facilitation because you can never have too many birthday cards on hand, right?  (The paper flowers were lovely, but I\'m not a fan of \"dust collectors\".)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I opened the package on Day 291, the project wasn\'t as turn-key as I thought it would be.  The four folded cards didn\'t necessarily color blend with the envelopes.  I wasn\'t sure what to do with the extra paper.  (I did turn one piece into a card, as that garish orange card they wanted me to use was hideous.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFacilitated Shmacilitated.  Necessary tools and glue were not included.  This project was not as turn-key as I originally anticipated. Luckily, I have a fully stocked former teacher closet.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6665\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I had to call out the big guns. No one wants to receive a lopsided birthday card.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140065.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6665\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140065-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe finished project seemed dreadfully dull.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6664\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140069-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then there was the turtle.   Because nothing screams HAPPY BIRTHDAY louder than a turtle.  ???\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400691.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6666\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400691-300x283.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"283\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI apologize in advance to all friends/family members who will receive my facilitated-craft-gone-bad-(and-boring) this year.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf anyone wants to volunteer to take The Turtle Card off of my hands, please send me your birthday and snail mail address.','Day 291:  Craft Project Gone Bad','','inherit','open','open','','6639-autosave','','','2011-07-19 20:55:09','2011-07-20 03:55:09','',6639,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/19/6639-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(6664,1,'2011-07-19 20:36:55','2011-07-20 03:36:55','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-452','','','2011-07-19 20:36:55','2011-07-20 03:36:55','',6639,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140069.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6665,1,'2011-07-19 20:42:03','2011-07-20 03:42:03','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-453','','','2011-07-19 20:42:03','2011-07-20 03:42:03','',6639,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140065.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6666,1,'2011-07-19 20:45:05','2011-07-20 03:45:05','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-454','','','2011-07-19 20:45:05','2011-07-20 03:45:05','',6639,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400691.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6667,1,'2011-07-19 20:45:31','2011-07-20 03:45:31','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400501.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6663\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400501-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>I am not a \"crafts person\".  My mom is very crafty, but I didn\'t inherit her craftiness.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I was recently in Portland, I came across a whimsical paper store with all sort of eclectic gifties and all-in-one craft kits.  A facilitated craft project!  Now <em>that</em> I can handle! I chose the Birthday Card Facilitation because you can never have too many birthday cards on hand, right?  (The paper flowers were lovely, but I\'m not a fan of \"dust collectors\".)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I opened the package on Day 291, the project wasn\'t as turn-key as I thought it would be.  The four folded cards didn\'t necessarily color blend with the envelopes.  I wasn\'t sure what to do with the extra paper.  (I did turn one piece into a card, as that garish orange card they wanted me to use was hideous.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFacilitated Shmacilitated.  Necessary tools and glue were not included.  This project was not as turn-key as I originally anticipated. Luckily, I have a fully stocked former teacher closet.  I had to call out the big guns for this.  No one wants to receive a lopsided birthday card.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140065.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6665\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140065-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe finished project seemed dreadfully dull.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6664\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140069-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then there was the turtle.   Because nothing screams HAPPY BIRTHDAY louder than a turtle.  ???\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400691.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6666\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400691-300x283.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"283\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI apologize in advance to all friends/family members who will receive my facilitated-craft-gone-bad-(and-boring) this year.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf anyone wants to volunteer to take The Turtle Card off of my hands, please send me your birthday and snail mail address.','Day 291:  Facilitated Craft Project ','','inherit','open','open','','6639-revision-4','','','2011-07-19 20:45:31','2011-07-20 03:45:31','',6639,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/19/6639-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(6669,1,'2011-07-19 20:46:31','2011-07-20 03:46:31','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400501.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6663\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400501-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>I am not a \"crafts person\".  My mom is very crafty, but I didn\'t inherit her craftiness.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I was recently in Portland, I came across a whimsical paper store with all sort of eclectic gifties and all-in-one craft kits.  A facilitated craft project!  Now <em>that</em> I can handle! I chose the Birthday Card Facilitation because you can never have too many birthday cards on hand, right?  (The paper flowers were lovely, but I\'m not a fan of \"dust collectors\".)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I opened the package on Day 291, the project wasn\'t as turn-key as I thought it would be.  The four folded cards didn\'t necessarily color blend with the envelopes.  I wasn\'t sure what to do with the extra paper.  (I did turn one piece into a card, as that garish orange card they wanted me to use was hideous.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFacilitated Shmacilitated.  Necessary tools and glue were not included.  This project was not as turn-key as I originally anticipated. Luckily, I have a fully stocked former teacher closet.  I had to call out the big guns for this.  No one wants to receive a lopsided birthday card.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140065.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6665\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140065-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe finished project seemed dreadfully dull.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6664\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140069-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then there was the turtle.   Because nothing screams HAPPY BIRTHDAY louder than a turtle.  ???\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400691.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6666\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400691-300x283.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"283\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI apologize in advance to all friends/family members who will receive my facilitated-craft-gone-bad-(and-boring) this year.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf anyone wants to volunteer to take The Turtle Card off of my hands, please send me your birthday and snail mail address.','Day 291:  Craft Project Gone Bad','','inherit','open','open','','6639-revision-6','','','2011-07-19 20:46:31','2011-07-20 03:46:31','',6639,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/19/6639-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(6668,1,'2011-07-19 20:45:54','2011-07-20 03:45:54','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400501.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6663\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400501-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>I am not a \"crafts person\".  My mom is very crafty, but I didn\'t inherit her craftiness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I was recently in Portland, I came across a whimsical paper store with all sort of eclectic gifties and all-in-one craft kits.  A facilitated craft project!  Now <em>that</em> I can handle! I chose the Birthday Card Facilitation because you can never have too many birthday cards on hand, right?  (The paper flowers were lovely, but I\'m not a fan of \"dust collectors\".)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I opened the package on Day 291, the project wasn\'t as turn-key as I thought it would be.  The four folded cards didn\'t necessarily color blend with the envelopes.  I wasn\'t sure what to do with the extra paper.  (I did turn one piece into a card, as that garish orange card they wanted me to use was hideous.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFacilitated Shmacilitated.  Necessary tools and glue were not included.  This project was not as turn-key as I originally anticipated. Luckily, I have a fully stocked former teacher closet.  I had to call out the big guns for this.  No one wants to receive a lopsided birthday card.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140065.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6665\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140065-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe finished project seemed dreadfully dull.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6664\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140069-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was the turtle.   Because nothing screams HAPPY BIRTHDAY louder than a turtle.  ???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400691.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6666\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400691-300x283.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"283\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI apologize in advance to all friends/family members who will receive my facilitated-craft-gone-bad-(and-boring) this year.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf anyone wants to volunteer to take The Turtle Card off of my hands, please send me your birthday and snail mail address.','Day 291:  Facilitated Craft Project ','','inherit','open','open','','6639-revision-5','','','2011-07-19 20:45:54','2011-07-20 03:45:54','',6639,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/19/6639-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(6670,1,'2011-07-19 20:47:17','2011-07-20 03:47:17','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400501.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6663\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400501-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>I am not a \"crafts person\".  My mom is very crafty, but I didn\'t inherit her craftiness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I was recently in Portland, I came across a whimsical paper store with all sort of eclectic gifties and all-in-one craft kits.  A facilitated craft project!  Now <em>that</em> I can handle! I chose the Birthday Card Facilitation because you can never have too many birthday cards on hand, right?  (The paper flowers were lovely, but I\'m not a fan of \"dust collectors\".)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I opened the package on Day 291, the project wasn\'t as turn-key as I thought it would be.  The four folded cards didn\'t necessarily color blend with the envelopes.  I wasn\'t sure what to do with the extra paper.  (I did turn one piece into a card, as that garish orange card they wanted me to use was hideous.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFacilitated Shmacilitated.  Necessary tools and glue were not included.  This project was not as turn-key as I originally anticipated. Luckily, I have a fully stocked former teacher closet.  I had to call out the big guns for this.  No one wants to receive a lopsided birthday card.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140065.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6665\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140065-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe finished project seemed dreadfully dull.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6664\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140069-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was the turtle.   Because nothing screams HAPPY BIRTHDAY louder than a turtle.  ???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400691.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6666\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400691-300x283.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"283\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI apologize in advance to all friends/family members who will receive my facilitated-craft-gone-bad-(and-boring) this year.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf anyone wants to volunteer to take The Turtle Card off of my hands, please send me your birthday and snail mail address.','Day 291:  Craft Project Gone Bad','','inherit','open','open','','6639-revision-7','','','2011-07-19 20:47:17','2011-07-20 03:47:17','',6639,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/19/6639-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(6673,1,'2011-07-19 20:49:53','2011-07-20 03:49:53','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400501.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6663\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400501-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>I am not a \"crafts person\".  My mom is very crafty, but I didn\'t inherit her craftiness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I was recently in Portland, I came across a whimsical paper store with all sort of eclectic gifties and all-in-one craft kits.  A facilitated craft project!  Now <em>that</em> I can handle!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose the Birthday Card Facilitation because you can never have too many birthday cards on hand, right?  (The paper flowers were lovely, but I\'m not a fan of \"dust collectors\".)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I opened the package on Day 291, the project wasn\'t as turn-key as I thought it would be.  The four folded cards didn\'t necessarily color blend with the envelopes.  I wasn\'t sure what to do with the extra paper.  (I did turn one piece into a card, as that garish orange card they wanted me to use was hideous.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFacilitated Shmacilitated.  Necessary tools and glue were not included.  This project was not as turn-key as I originally anticipated. Luckily, I have a fully stocked former teacher closet.  I had to call out the big guns.  No one wants to receive a lopsided birthday card.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140065.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6665\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140065-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe finished project seemed dreadfully dull.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6664\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140069-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was the turtle.   Because nothing screams HAPPY BIRTHDAY louder than a turtle.  ???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400691.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6666\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400691-300x283.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"283\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI apologize in advance to all friends/family members who will receive my facilitated-craft-gone-bad-(and-boring) this year.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf anyone wants to volunteer to take The Turtle Card off of my hands, please send me your birthday and snail mail address.','Day 291:  Craft Project Gone Bad','','inherit','open','open','','6639-revision-10','','','2011-07-19 20:49:53','2011-07-20 03:49:53','',6639,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/19/6639-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(6671,1,'2011-07-19 20:47:52','2011-07-20 03:47:52','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400501.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6663\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400501-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>I am not a \"crafts person\".  My mom is very crafty, but I didn\'t inherit her craftiness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I was recently in Portland, I came across a whimsical paper store with all sort of eclectic gifties and all-in-one craft kits.  A facilitated craft project!  Now <em>that</em> I can handle!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose the Birthday Card Facilitation because you can never have too many birthday cards on hand, right?  (The paper flowers were lovely, but I\'m not a fan of \"dust collectors\".)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I opened the package on Day 291, the project wasn\'t as turn-key as I thought it would be.  The four folded cards didn\'t necessarily color blend with the envelopes.  I wasn\'t sure what to do with the extra paper.  (I did turn one piece into a card, as that garish orange card they wanted me to use was hideous.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFacilitated Shmacilitated.  Necessary tools and glue were not included.  This project was not as turn-key as I originally anticipated. Luckily, I have a fully stocked former teacher closet.  I had to call out the big guns for this.  No one wants to receive a lopsided birthday card.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140065.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6665\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140065-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe finished project seemed dreadfully dull.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6664\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140069-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was the turtle.   Because nothing screams HAPPY BIRTHDAY louder than a turtle.  ???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400691.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6666\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400691-300x283.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"283\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI apologize in advance to all friends/family members who will receive my facilitated-craft-gone-bad-(and-boring) this year.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf anyone wants to volunteer to take The Turtle Card off of my hands, please send me your birthday and snail mail address.','Day 291:  Craft Project Gone Bad','','inherit','open','open','','6639-revision-8','','','2011-07-19 20:47:52','2011-07-20 03:47:52','',6639,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/19/6639-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(6672,1,'2011-07-19 20:48:55','2011-07-20 03:48:55','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400501.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6663\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400501-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>I am not a \"crafts person\".  My mom is very crafty, but I didn\'t inherit her craftiness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I was recently in Portland, I came across a whimsical paper store with all sort of eclectic gifties and all-in-one craft kits.  A facilitated craft project!  Now <em>that</em> I can handle!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose the Birthday Card Facilitation because you can never have too many birthday cards on hand, right?  (The paper flowers were lovely, but I\'m not a fan of \"dust collectors\".)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I opened the package on Day 291, the project wasn\'t as turn-key as I thought it would be.  The four folded cards didn\'t necessarily color blend with the envelopes.  I wasn\'t sure what to do with the extra paper.  (I did turn one piece into a card, as that garish orange card they wanted me to use was hideous.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFacilitated Shmacilitated.  Necessary tools and glue were not included.  This project was not as turn-key as I originally anticipated. Luckily, I have a fully stocked former teacher closet.  I had to call out the big guns.  No one wants to receive a lopsided birthday card.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140065.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6665\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140065-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe finished project seemed dreadfully dull.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6664\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140069-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was the turtle.   Because nothing screams HAPPY BIRTHDAY louder than a turtle.  ???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400691.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6666\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400691-300x283.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"283\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI apologize in advance to all friends/family members who will receive my facilitated-craft-gone-bad-(and-boring) this year.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf anyone wants to volunteer to take The Turtle Card off of my hands, please send me your birthday and snail mail address.','Day 291:  Craft Project Gone Bad','','inherit','open','open','','6639-revision-9','','','2011-07-19 20:48:55','2011-07-20 03:48:55','',6639,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/19/6639-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(6674,1,'2011-07-19 20:50:02','2011-07-20 03:50:02','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400501.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6663\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400501-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>I am not a \"crafts person\".  My mom is very crafty, but I didn\'t inherit her craftiness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I was recently in Portland, I came across a whimsical paper store with all sort of eclectic gifties and all-in-one craft kits.  A facilitated craft project!  Now <em>that</em> I can handle!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose the Birthday Card Facilitation because you can never have too many birthday cards on hand, right?  (The paper flowers were lovely, but I\'m not a fan of \"dust collectors\".)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I opened the package on Day 291, the project wasn\'t as turn-key as I thought it would be.  The four folded cards didn\'t necessarily color blend with the envelopes.  I wasn\'t sure what to do with the extra paper.  (I did turn one piece into a card, as that garish orange card they wanted me to use was hideous.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFacilitated Shmacilitated.  Necessary tools and glue were not included.  This project was not as turn-key as I originally anticipated. Luckily, I have a fully stocked former teacher closet.  I had to call out the big guns.  No one wants to receive a lopsided birthday card.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140065.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6665\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140065-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe finished project seemed dreadfully dull.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6664\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140069-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was the turtle.   Because nothing screams HAPPY BIRTHDAY louder than a turtle.  ???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400691.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6666\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400691-300x283.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"283\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI apologize in advance to all friends/family members who will receive my facilitated-craft-gone-bad-(and-boring) this year.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf anyone wants to volunteer to take The Turtle Card off of my hands, please send me your birthday and snail mail address.','Day 291:  Craft Project Gone Bad','','inherit','open','open','','6639-revision-11','','','2011-07-19 20:50:02','2011-07-20 03:50:02','',6639,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/19/6639-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(6675,1,'2011-07-19 20:51:58','2011-07-20 03:51:58','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400501.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6663\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400501-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>I am not a \"crafts person\".  My mom is very crafty, but I didn\'t inherit her craftiness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I was recently in Portland, I came across a whimsical paper store with all sort of eclectic gifties and all-in-one craft kits.  A facilitated craft project!  Now <em>that</em> I can handle!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose the Birthday Card Facilitation because you can never have too many birthday cards on hand, right?  (The paper flowers were lovely, but I\'m not a fan of \"dust collectors\".)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I opened the package on Day 291, the project wasn\'t as turn-key as I thought it would be.  The four folded cards didn\'t necessarily color blend with the envelopes.  I wasn\'t sure what to do with the extra paper.  (I did turn one piece into a card, as that garish orange card they wanted me to use was hideous.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFacilitated Shmacilitated.  Necessary tools and glue were not included.  This project was not as turn-key as I originally anticipated. Luckily, I have a fully stocked former teacher closet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6665\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I had to call out the big guns. No one wants to receive a lopsided birthday card.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140065.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6665\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140065-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe finished project seemed dreadfully dull.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6664\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140069-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was the turtle.   Because nothing screams HAPPY BIRTHDAY louder than a turtle.  ???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400691.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6666\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400691-300x283.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"283\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI apologize in advance to all friends/family members who will receive my facilitated-craft-gone-bad-(and-boring) this year.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf anyone wants to volunteer to take The Turtle Card off of my hands, please send me your birthday and snail mail address.','Day 291:  Craft Project Gone Bad','','inherit','open','open','','6639-revision-12','','','2011-07-19 20:51:58','2011-07-20 03:51:58','',6639,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/19/6639-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(6679,1,'2011-07-19 20:52:05','2011-07-20 03:52:05','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400501.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6663\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400501-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>I am not a \"crafts person\".  My mom is very crafty, but I didn\'t inherit her craftiness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I was recently in Portland, I came across a whimsical paper store with all sort of eclectic gifties and all-in-one craft kits.  A facilitated craft project!  Now <em>that</em> I can handle!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI chose the Birthday Card Facilitation because you can never have too many birthday cards on hand, right?  (The paper flowers were lovely, but I\'m not a fan of \"dust collectors\".)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I opened the package on Day 291, the project wasn\'t as turn-key as I thought it would be.  The four folded cards didn\'t necessarily color blend with the envelopes.  I wasn\'t sure what to do with the extra paper.  (I did turn one piece into a card, as that garish orange card they wanted me to use was hideous.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFacilitated Shmacilitated.  Necessary tools and glue were not included.  This project was not as turn-key as I originally anticipated. Luckily, I have a fully stocked former teacher closet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6665\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"I had to call out the big guns. No one wants to receive a lopsided birthday card.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140065.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6665\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140065-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe finished project seemed dreadfully dull.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6664\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140069-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was the turtle.   Because nothing screams HAPPY BIRTHDAY louder than a turtle.  ???\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400691.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-6666\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400691-300x283.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"283\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI apologize in advance to all friends/family members who will receive my facilitated-craft-gone-bad-(and-boring) this year.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf anyone wants to volunteer to take The Turtle Card off of my hands, please send me your birthday and snail mail address.','Day 291:  Craft Project Gone Bad','','inherit','open','open','','6639-revision-13','','','2011-07-19 20:52:05','2011-07-20 03:52:05','',6639,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/19/6639-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(6680,1,'2011-07-19 21:44:22','2011-07-20 04:44:22','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','World\'s Smallest Movie Theater.  You gotta love the charm of art houses.','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-451','','','2011-07-19 21:44:22','2011-07-20 04:44:22','',6646,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7150070.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6681,1,'2011-07-19 21:42:40','2011-07-20 04:42:40','You know how most people go to \"dinner and a movie\" over the weekend?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYeah, I never do that.  I\'m weird that way.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis past weekend, I joined Sarah for dinner and a movie for the first time in I-don\'t-know-how-long.  She enticed me out by suggesting a movie at the art house (she knows me well) followed by dinner at a newly opened <a href=\"http://nourish123.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Nourish</strong> </a>whose slogan is \"comfort food with a healthy twist\".  (Yes, she does indeed know me well.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe Movie/Documentary:  <strong><a href=\"http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/project_nim/\" target=\"_blank\">Project Nim</a></strong>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe movie follows a Columbia study in the 1970s where researchers attempted to see to what extent a chimpanzee could communicate with humans via sign language.  At first, everything is fun and games with the baby chimp.  Fun and games until someone gets hurt, that is.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt one point, I was so shaken that I thought I might need to leave the theater.  Fortunately, a happ<em>ier</em> twist quickly arrived.  (As happy as can be expected when a wild animal is forced into captivity for human \"study\".)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis film reinforced my strong belief that forcing animals out of their natural habitats for human study/research/entertainment is unacceptable.  I made a choice years ago to no longer attend zoos or marine parks.  I\'ve never heard one valid argument in support of the <em>animals</em>.  (Citing that animals live longer in captivity is ludicrous.  The natural circle of life isn\'t cruel.  Confining wild animals in cages is cruel.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI live in a city which touts a \"good zoo\".  Go take a look at our exhibits for the big cats and then tell me how on earth this is \"good\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn to sunnier topics...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNourish is everything it promotes itself to be.  I didn\'t know that an \"air-frier\" existed until Friday night.  I enjoyed the \"Air-fried Sweet Potato Fries\" immensely.  (After questioning a confused waiter, I determined that these are actually \"Air-fried Yams\", fyi.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYes.  I know the difference between sweet potato and yams.  I\'m weird that way, too.','Day 292:  Non-traditional Dinner and a Movie','','inherit','open','open','','6646-revision-3','','','2011-07-19 21:42:40','2011-07-20 04:42:40','',6646,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/19/6646-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(6682,1,'2011-07-19 21:45:40','2011-07-20 04:45:40','[caption id=\"attachment_6680\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"World&#39;s Smallest Movie Theater. You gotta love the charm of art houses.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7150070.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6680\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7150070-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nYou know how most people go to \"dinner and a movie\" over the weekend?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYeah, I never do that.  I\'m weird that way.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis past weekend, I joined Sarah for dinner and a movie for the first time in I-don\'t-know-how-long.  She enticed me out by suggesting a movie at the art house (she knows me well) followed by dinner at a newly opened <a href=\"http://nourish123.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Nourish</strong> </a>whose slogan is \"comfort food with a healthy twist\".  (Yes, she does indeed know me well.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe Movie/Documentary:  <strong><a href=\"http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/project_nim/\" target=\"_blank\">Project Nim</a></strong>.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe movie follows a Columbia study in the 1970s where researchers attempted to see to what extent a chimpanzee could communicate with humans via sign language.  At first, everything is fun and games with the baby chimp.  Fun and games until someone gets hurt, that is.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt one point, I was so shaken that I thought I might need to leave the theater.  Fortunately, a happ<em>ier</em> twist quickly arrived.  (As happy as can be expected when a wild animal is forced into captivity for human \"study\".)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThis film reinforced my strong belief that forcing animals out of their natural habitats for human study/research/entertainment is unacceptable.  I made a choice years ago to no longer attend zoos or marine parks.  I\'ve never heard one valid argument in support of the <em>animals</em>.  (Citing that animals live longer in captivity is ludicrous.  The natural circle of life isn\'t cruel.  Confining wild animals in cages is cruel.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI live in a city which touts a \"good zoo\".  Go take a look at our exhibits for the big cats and then tell me how on earth this is \"good\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn to sunnier topics...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNourish is everything it promotes itself to be.  I didn\'t know that an \"air-frier\" existed until Friday night.  I enjoyed the \"Air-fried Sweet Potato Fries\" immensely.  (After questioning a confused waiter, I determined that these are actually \"Air-fried Yams\", fyi.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYes.  I know the difference between sweet potato and yams.  I\'m weird that way, too.','Day 292:  Non-traditional Dinner and a Movie','','inherit','open','open','','6646-revision-4','','','2011-07-19 21:45:40','2011-07-20 04:45:40','',6646,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/19/6646-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(6683,1,'2011-07-19 21:45:50','2011-07-20 04:45:50','[caption id=\"attachment_6680\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"World&#39;s Smallest Movie Theater. You gotta love the charm of art houses.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7150070.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6680\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7150070-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYou know how most people go to \"dinner and a movie\" over the weekend?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYeah, I never do that.  I\'m weird that way.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis past weekend, I joined Sarah for dinner and a movie for the first time in I-don\'t-know-how-long.  She enticed me out by suggesting a movie at the art house (she knows me well) followed by dinner at a newly opened <a href=\"http://nourish123.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Nourish</strong> </a>whose slogan is \"comfort food with a healthy twist\".  (Yes, she does indeed know me well.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe Movie/Documentary:  <strong><a href=\"http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/project_nim/\" target=\"_blank\">Project Nim</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe movie follows a Columbia study in the 1970s where researchers attempted to see to what extent a chimpanzee could communicate with humans via sign language.  At first, everything is fun and games with the baby chimp.  Fun and games until someone gets hurt, that is.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt one point, I was so shaken that I thought I might need to leave the theater.  Fortunately, a happ<em>ier</em> twist quickly arrived.  (As happy as can be expected when a wild animal is forced into captivity for human \"study\".)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis film reinforced my strong belief that forcing animals out of their natural habitats for human study/research/entertainment is unacceptable.  I made a choice years ago to no longer attend zoos or marine parks.  I\'ve never heard one valid argument in support of the <em>animals</em>.  (Citing that animals live longer in captivity is ludicrous.  The natural circle of life isn\'t cruel.  Confining wild animals in cages is cruel.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI live in a city which touts a \"good zoo\".  Go take a look at our exhibits for the big cats and then tell me how on earth this is \"good\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn to sunnier topics...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNourish is everything it promotes itself to be.  I didn\'t know that an \"air-frier\" existed until Friday night.  I enjoyed the \"Air-fried Sweet Potato Fries\" immensely.  (After questioning a confused waiter, I determined that these are actually \"Air-fried Yams\", fyi.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes.  I know the difference between sweet potato and yams.  I\'m weird that way, too.','Day 292:  Non-traditional Dinner and a Movie','','inherit','open','open','','6646-revision-5','','','2011-07-19 21:45:50','2011-07-20 04:45:50','',6646,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/19/6646-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(6684,1,'2011-07-19 21:46:08','2011-07-20 04:46:08','[caption id=\"attachment_6680\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\" caption=\"World&#39;s Smallest Movie Theater. You gotta love the charm of art houses.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7150070.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6680\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7150070-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYou know how most people go to \"dinner and a movie\" over the weekend?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYeah, I never do that.  I\'m weird that way.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis past weekend, I joined Sarah for dinner and a movie for the first time in I-don\'t-know-how-long.  She enticed me out by suggesting a movie at the art house (she knows me well) followed by dinner at a newly opened <a href=\"http://nourish123.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Nourish</strong> </a>whose slogan is \"comfort food with a healthy twist\".  (Yes, she does indeed know me well.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe Movie/Documentary:  <strong><a href=\"http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/project_nim/\" target=\"_blank\">Project Nim</a></strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe movie follows a Columbia study in the 1970s where researchers attempted to see to what extent a chimpanzee could communicate with humans via sign language.  At first, everything is fun and games with the baby chimp.  Fun and games until someone gets hurt, that is.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt one point, I was so shaken that I thought I might need to leave the theater.  Fortunately, a happ<em>ier</em> twist quickly arrived.  (As happy as can be expected when a wild animal is forced into captivity for human \"study\".)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis film reinforced my strong belief that forcing animals out of their natural habitats for human study/research/entertainment is unacceptable.  I made a choice years ago to no longer attend zoos or marine parks.  I\'ve never heard one valid argument in support of the <em>animals</em>.  (Citing that animals live longer in captivity is ludicrous.  The natural circle of life isn\'t cruel.  Confining wild animals in cages is cruel.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI live in a city which touts a \"good zoo\".  Go take a look at our exhibits for the big cats and then tell me how on earth this is \"good\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn to sunnier topics...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNourish is everything it promotes itself to be.  I didn\'t know that an \"air-frier\" existed until Friday night.  I enjoyed the \"Air-fried Sweet Potato Fries\" immensely.  (After questioning a confused waiter, I determined that these are actually \"Air-fried Yams\", fyi.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes.  I know the difference between sweet potato and yams.  I\'m weird that way, too.','Day 292:  Non-traditional Dinner and a Movie','','inherit','open','open','','6646-revision-6','','','2011-07-19 21:46:08','2011-07-20 04:46:08','',6646,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/19/6646-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(6685,1,'2011-07-21 01:11:58','2011-07-21 08:11:58','Remember, as a kid, how dazzled you were by the umbrella that graced the glass of your Shirley Temple/Roy Rogers?  Do you remember the plastic pirate knife piercing the maraschino cherry?  Jenny and I would sword fight with ours.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am pleased to report that I experienced that same excitement on the evening of Day 293.  Sadly, <strong><a href=\"http://www.tradervics.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Trader Vic\'s</a></strong> is closing down its doors in Snobbsdale.  I went in for my last curry (served in that fabulous boomerang accoutrements dish) and a cocktail.  Trader Vic\'s is famous for their extensive and exotic cocktail menu.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6691\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Boomerang of Accoutrements\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00532-20110716-2002.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6691\" title=\"IMG00532-20110716-2002\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00532-20110716-2002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ordered the Menehune Juice:  \"A secret blend of Island rums and nectars.  One sip and you may see a Menehune...The one in your glass is yours to take home.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes.  I ordered the drink for the toy.  I couldn\'t resist.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6693\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"My Menehune\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00531-20110716-1934.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6693 \" title=\"IMG00531-20110716-1934\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00531-20110716-1934-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDecluttering Queen that I am, I\'m not sure how long Menehune will live in my kitchen, but for the time being, she gives me a warm fuzzy.  I like the thought of a bit of mischievousness and magic floating around my house.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you still get excited over cocktail toys, or is it just me?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 293:  Cocktail Toys','','publish','open','open','','day-293-cocktail-toys','','','2011-07-20 21:57:32','2011-07-21 04:57:32','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=6685',0,'post','',1),(6686,1,'2011-07-19 21:50:04','2011-07-20 04:50:04','','Auto Draft','','inherit','open','open','','6685-revision','','','2011-07-19 21:50:04','2011-07-20 04:50:04','',6685,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/19/6685-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(6687,1,'2011-07-22 01:11:35','2011-07-22 08:11:35','<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/scrubbersr/5801056916/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6706 alignleft\" title=\"5801056916_a195da3c4c\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/5801056916_a195da3c4c-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>Sometimes I tackle too many things at one time.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor example, as if a 365 day blog project wasn\'t enough, I just had to sign up for an online course.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut then again <a href=\"https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=121586&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=175709\" target=\"ejejcsingle\"><strong>Mondo Beyondo</strong></a> isn\'t just <em>any</em> online course.  It\'s about manifesting your most wildly passionate dreams.  It\'s carpe diem on steroids.  And this blog is about carpe dieming, right?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh, yeah.  There was also that whole <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/06/12/day-252-soul-explosion/\" target=\"_blank\">\"Mondo Beyondo Soul Explosion\"</a></strong> experience back at <strong><a href=\"http://worlddominationsummit.com/\" target=\"_blank\">The World Domination Summit</a></strong> in Portland.  My intuition doesn\'t allow me to ignore those moments of Eureka-ness.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo I signed up for the course along with <strong><a href=\"http://samfrancisco.me/\" target=\"_blank\">Sam.</a></strong>  And promptly fell behind two days in.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt\'s kind of hard to keep up with a blog and a business trip and an online course.  Argh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 294, I set aside a chunk of time for \"homework\".  After delving into the exercises, I could breathe again.  Not a sigh of relief of \"catching up\" (although I certainly felt that as well), but a sigh of \"This is why I am here.  This is beyond powerful.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHomework has never been this inspiring.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 294:  Catching Up on Homework','','publish','open','open','','day-294-catching-up-on-homework','','','2011-07-21 21:39:01','2011-07-22 04:39:01','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=6687',0,'post','',0),(6688,1,'2011-07-19 21:50:49','2011-07-20 04:50:49','','Auto Draft','','inherit','open','open','','6687-revision','','','2011-07-19 21:50:49','2011-07-20 04:50:49','',6687,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/19/6687-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(6689,1,'2011-07-20 17:52:39','2011-07-21 00:52:39','Remember, as a kid, how dazzled you were by the umbrella that graced the glass of your Shirley Temple/Roy Rogers?  Do you remember the plastic pirate knife piercing the maraschino cherry?  Jenny and I would sword fight with ours.  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI am pleased to report that I experienced that same excitement on the evening of Day 293.  Sadly, Trader Vic\'s is closing down its doors in Snobbsdale.  I went in for my last curry (served in that fabulous boomerang accoutrements dish) and a cocktail.  Trader Vic\'s is famous for their extensive and exotic cocktail menu.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI ordered the Menehune Juice:  \"A secret blend of Island rums and nectars.  One sip and you may see a Menehune...The one in your glass is yours to take home.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYes.  I ordered the drink for the toy.  I couldn\'t resist.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDecluttering Queen that I am, I\'m not sure how long Menehune will live in my kitchen, but for the time being, she gives me a warm fuzzy.  I like the thought of a bit of mischievousness and magic floating around my house.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDo you still get excited over cocktail toys, or is it just me?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 293:  Cocktail Toys','','inherit','open','open','','6685-revision-2','','','2011-07-20 17:52:39','2011-07-21 00:52:39','',6685,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/20/6685-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(6690,1,'2011-07-20 17:54:02','2011-07-21 00:54:02','Remember, as a kid, how dazzled you were by the umbrella that graced the glass of your Shirley Temple/Roy Rogers?  Do you remember the plastic pirate knife piercing the maraschino cherry?  Jenny and I would sword fight with ours.  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI am pleased to report that I experienced that same excitement on the evening of Day 293.  Sadly, <strong><a href=\"http://www.tradervics.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Trader Vic\'s</a></strong> is closing down its doors in Snobbsdale.  I went in for my last curry (served in that fabulous boomerang accoutrements dish) and a cocktail.  Trader Vic\'s is famous for their extensive and exotic cocktail menu.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI ordered the Menehune Juice:  \"A secret blend of Island rums and nectars.  One sip and you may see a Menehune...The one in your glass is yours to take home.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYes.  I ordered the drink for the toy.  I couldn\'t resist.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDecluttering Queen that I am, I\'m not sure how long Menehune will live in my kitchen, but for the time being, she gives me a warm fuzzy.  I like the thought of a bit of mischievousness and magic floating around my house.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDo you still get excited over cocktail toys, or is it just me?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 293:  Cocktail Toys','','inherit','open','open','','6685-revision-3','','','2011-07-20 17:54:02','2011-07-21 00:54:02','',6685,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/20/6685-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(6691,1,'2011-07-20 21:55:17','2011-07-21 04:55:17','','IMG00532-20110716-2002','Boomerang of Accoutrements','inherit','open','open','','img00532-20110716-2002','','','2011-07-20 21:55:17','2011-07-21 04:55:17','',6685,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00532-20110716-2002.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6692,1,'2011-07-20 21:56:00','2011-07-21 04:56:00','Remember, as a kid, how dazzled you were by the umbrella that graced the glass of your Shirley Temple/Roy Rogers?  Do you remember the plastic pirate knife piercing the maraschino cherry?  Jenny and I would sword fight with ours.  :-D\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI am pleased to report that I experienced that same excitement on the evening of Day 293.  Sadly, <strong><a href=\"http://www.tradervics.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Trader Vic\'s</a></strong> is closing down its doors in Snobbsdale.  I went in for my last curry (served in that fabulous boomerang accoutrements dish) and a cocktail.  Trader Vic\'s is famous for their extensive and exotic cocktail menu.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_6691\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Boomerang of Accoutrements\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00532-20110716-2002.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6691\" title=\"IMG00532-20110716-2002\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00532-20110716-2002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI ordered the Menehune Juice:  \"A secret blend of Island rums and nectars.  One sip and you may see a Menehune...The one in your glass is yours to take home.\"\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYes.  I ordered the drink for the toy.  I couldn\'t resist.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDecluttering Queen that I am, I\'m not sure how long Menehune will live in my kitchen, but for the time being, she gives me a warm fuzzy.  I like the thought of a bit of mischievousness and magic floating around my house.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDo you still get excited over cocktail toys, or is it just me?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Day 293:  Cocktail Toys','','inherit','open','open','','6685-autosave','','','2011-07-20 21:56:00','2011-07-21 04:56:00','',6685,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/20/6685-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(6693,1,'2011-07-20 21:56:20','2011-07-21 04:56:20','','IMG00531-20110716-1934','My Mehune','inherit','open','open','','img00531-20110716-1934','','','2011-07-20 21:56:20','2011-07-21 04:56:20','',6685,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00531-20110716-1934.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6694,1,'2011-07-20 17:54:55','2011-07-21 00:54:55','Remember, as a kid, how dazzled you were by the umbrella that graced the glass of your Shirley Temple/Roy Rogers?  Do you remember the plastic pirate knife piercing the maraschino cherry?  Jenny and I would sword fight with ours.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am pleased to report that I experienced that same excitement on the evening of Day 293.  Sadly, <strong><a href=\"http://www.tradervics.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Trader Vic\'s</a></strong> is closing down its doors in Snobbsdale.  I went in for my last curry (served in that fabulous boomerang accoutrements dish) and a cocktail.  Trader Vic\'s is famous for their extensive and exotic cocktail menu.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ordered the Menehune Juice:  \"A secret blend of Island rums and nectars.  One sip and you may see a Menehune...The one in your glass is yours to take home.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes.  I ordered the drink for the toy.  I couldn\'t resist.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDecluttering Queen that I am, I\'m not sure how long Menehune will live in my kitchen, but for the time being, she gives me a warm fuzzy.  I like the thought of a bit of mischievousness and magic floating around my house.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you still get excited over cocktail toys, or is it just me?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 293:  Cocktail Toys','','inherit','open','open','','6685-revision-4','','','2011-07-20 17:54:55','2011-07-21 00:54:55','',6685,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/20/6685-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(6695,1,'2011-07-20 21:57:26','2011-07-21 04:57:26','Remember, as a kid, how dazzled you were by the umbrella that graced the glass of your Shirley Temple/Roy Rogers?  Do you remember the plastic pirate knife piercing the maraschino cherry?  Jenny and I would sword fight with ours.  :-D\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI am pleased to report that I experienced that same excitement on the evening of Day 293.  Sadly, <strong><a href=\"http://www.tradervics.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Trader Vic\'s</a></strong> is closing down its doors in Snobbsdale.  I went in for my last curry (served in that fabulous boomerang accoutrements dish) and a cocktail.  Trader Vic\'s is famous for their extensive and exotic cocktail menu.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6691\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Boomerang of Accoutrements\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00532-20110716-2002.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6691\" title=\"IMG00532-20110716-2002\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00532-20110716-2002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ordered the Menehune Juice:  \"A secret blend of Island rums and nectars.  One sip and you may see a Menehune...The one in your glass is yours to take home.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes.  I ordered the drink for the toy.  I couldn\'t resist.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6693\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"My Menehune\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00531-20110716-1934.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6693 \" title=\"IMG00531-20110716-1934\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00531-20110716-1934-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDecluttering Queen that I am, I\'m not sure how long Menehune will live in my kitchen, but for the time being, she gives me a warm fuzzy.  I like the thought of a bit of mischievousness and magic floating around my house.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you still get excited over cocktail toys, or is it just me?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Day 293:  Cocktail Toys','','inherit','open','open','','6685-revision-5','','','2011-07-20 21:57:26','2011-07-21 04:57:26','',6685,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/07/20/6685-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0);
