America. Love it or leave it.



GBA. I shouldn't have to tell you, but just in case, that stands for God Bless America. It's a well mentioned phrase among my friends, as well as during any and all family functions. There's no better combination of colors than the glorious red, white, and blue. I love America. So does this lady. I bet Alex and the casting directors for Jeopardy didn't even make her take the test. You can just look at her and know....what...a bad ass.

I happened to miss this episode, but by friend Kristen - who also loves all things America - sent me this glorious picture text. She knows my passion for the stars and stripes because we were team USA during Hennessey Family beach week. As you can see we got a little carried away....or maybe it was just enough.

My brother Billy has even more pride than I do. I own a good bit of American flag apparel but no one reps it like Billy. The kid rocks this shirt like its his favorite pair of jeans. The day Osama Bin Laden was announced dead he rode around our town in Virginia blaring Lee Greenwood's, "God Bless the USA" wearing this classic. That's him at an Orioles game.

One of the radio stations I work for is a News Talk station under the call letters WORD. We had received a shipment of American Flag car flags (you know like the collegiate kind you see during football season) being we focus a lot on politics. I had sent him a few of those along with a magnet and was told he was waving them proudly that day. I'm sure he was a real site. No where to go but a tank of gas later he had received what he had said was, "the most glorious looks" and of course "so many honks". I'm sure he through them the 'go get em' fist pump right back.

We are already starting to train baby Beans the way of the Hennessey clan. America - love it or leave it.

I think she's catching on quite nicely.

Westrian vs. Pedestrian

I know I live in the south but really? I was out in downtown Greenville last night celebrating the annual birthday of my friend Lauren, when her fiance, Mills, pointed out the local cowboy and cowgirl trotting down the road. I hopped up from my bar stool immediately (kinda) to take a picture but to my dismay the slight pause I took before deciding if it was worth getting up and running after them, gave them the slight edge to get away before I could take a picture. So instead I called my friend Scott to tell him what I saw. You see, this is the second odd spotting in the past 2 weeks in downtown Gville. Last weekend we ran into a man carrying a large wooden cross on his back, and no, it wasn't Jesus.

Apparently he is traveling up and down the east coast, "spreading the word of the Lord". So he's got that goin for him, which is nice. At least he has the luxury of a 4 door truck because last time I checked Jesus had to do it the hard way. To each his own. Back to the cowboys.

We thought they were good and gone but 2 bottles of sake later, there they were comin' 'round the bend again. Their pace was even faster than before so my enthusiasm to snap a picture of this spectacle wasn't very high. Luckily we were headed out of the bar and about to head back down Main Street towards home. I thought maybe we'd catch up. Sure enough, the lone rangers were stopped outside Sharky's conversing with some sauced up pedestrians drunk enough to question what kind of large dogs they were riding. I managed to score this sweet ass shot. Discussion continued on whether it was legal for just anyone to ride up and down a public street on an animal - horse specifically. The outcome of that same discussion surprised me. Apparently the law states (maybe not in these exact words) that if you are from the Wild Wild West you can do whatever the hell you want because you (or your cowboy relatives) did it long before Mr. Ford and his family came to town, and if Mr. Ford can drip oil on the streets of Greenville then your horse can also leave a special dropping behind, too. Super. That will look great on my shoes this weekend.

The day I found out I might do well in porn....well, almost

We talk about a lot of things at work. Most of which originate from recent pop culture stories and scandal, but the occasional forwarded email can get thrown into conversation, too. Or I guess just random topics you've discussed since middle school, one being what your porn and/or stripper name would be. Apparently most in the industry use a simple equation to figure out their alias for their incognito (or lack there of) naked bod - - First pets name as your first name and the first street you ever lived on as your new last name. Simple enough. I'm gonna go ahead and take a guess that in most cases this doesn't work out for the best. For example, when discussing this at work here are some of the names that ended up getting tossed around the studio:


* Fredrick Tallulah
* Barney Rockwell - - ok this might be decent for a guy, but not the girl it belonged to
* Blue Harness - - pretty sure he made that one up
* Dot Cunningham - - yea, this was a dudes
* Snoopy Quail - - sketchy................and last but not least, my favorite.......
* Chubacka Redwood


Now I don't want to brag but I certainly took first place in the awesome name category. Drum roll please.....thrhrhrhrhrhhrrhhrhr......I'd like to introduce to you...... Madison Fairway.


Ohhhhh yeaaaaaa. Can't you hear the sultry voice now. There was a little bit of disappointment in how amazing my name turned out to be, so we went onto my second pet and second home. Boom. First place again.


What's that? You don't like Madison? Oh ok, maybe Lucy Kidwell is more your type. Smokin.


I'm extremely interested in hearing yours because they always seem to bring a chuckle along with them. Comments are encouraged.

#NewRadioName

Batting. A growing art form.

So I posted the link for my friend Skylers greatest idea dothebat.com. If you still haven't gone, go. I don't understand why you didn't listen to me the first time. I forgive you though, but go now.


Ok, now you see why this is such a great idea. Planking and Owling are yesterdays jokes. This is here for you to tell your friends about and be "the first to know". You've never set a trend in your entire life. I'm literally giving you the tools to be the hit at the party this weekend. Don't blow it.  You are running out of time though, because it just hit the big time - The Washington Post. I'm a yankee remember.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/batting-putting-owling-and-planking-to-shame/2011/07/26/gIQAdBrsaI_blog.html?fb_ref=NetworkNews&fb_source=profile_oneline


Do you have facebook? Of course you do. Go check them out there too and get really stupid (a.k.a. amazingly awesome) ideas of where to go batting. I'm sure after a few drinks this weekend you will find plenty of places, but this is a great place to start. Cheers and happy batting.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Batting-dothebatcom/222394734471416

B93.7 Just Show Up Show

Oh. My. God. It's Cody Simpson!!

There were other bands there, too believe it or not. Iyaz definitely made me a fan tonight.

Super friendly guy and pretty funny, too. Major points.

I took a bunch of videos but being on stage next to a speaker
didn't exactly produce the best sound. Oops.

This is the drummer (obvi) for All Time Low and I would like to date him.
That's all I have to say really.

Oh, other than Fenway you are too tall.

I'm exhausted but I'm sure I will have something to say tomorrow. Ciao.

So I'm dating a 14 year old.......or so my office thinks

Office rumors. Got to love 'em. I work for Entercom Radio as the Promotions Manager for Rock 101 and 93.3 The Planet. In addition, we also have a few more stations. One of which being a Top 40 station - B93.7. About a year ago a young "up and comer" came into our studios. His name is Cody Simpson. Originally from Australia, Cody came over to the states to pursue his music career and has a growing fan base of young, screaming middle schoolers - I promise you he is the next Justin Bieber. His first hit was with Flo Rida, and if you didn't already know Flo is my boy.....so double whammy.

Check out the video of my lovers below

He did a quick acoustic set at the station for about 30 listeners, took some pictures, and signed some autographs. The "rumor" of Cody and I dating started when he approached me about my love for Chris Brown and his new song at the time, "Yeah 3x's". Cody's a HUGE fan. When he went to leave our station I got not one, not two, but three hugs from the little guy. Jokingly I said to Chase Murphy and the rest of the clan that he was in love with me and that he just wanted to rub up on "my ladies". That's when it also started to go down hill since Fenway brought to my attention that he was about 14 and still had his braces. Cody returned to Greenville for Hawk and Tom's Acoustic Christmas Show (braces off) and was a huge hit. I really think he just came back because he knew I was there......I think this because we had another long conversation about his hip sneakers and jean jacket. He also had a pimp cane - a 14 year old with a pimp cane - BIG. PIMPIN. I'm tellin you - next Bieber.

We recently had a company wide meeting held at the station celebrating the anniversary of WFBC-FM, B93.7. When Keaira, B's Promotions Manager and my office mate, started telling about future events she mentioned the Just Show Up Show, which happens to be tonight (que screaming girls). One of the performers is Cody Simpson (along with All Time Low and Iyaz). When discussing who was going to be there she intro'd Cody as Lacey's future husband - - within seconds you hear, "isn't he like 13?"....followed by, "gross Lacey", and comments like, "Good God, what's wrong with you". Great. Thanks Keaira. I'm the office freak. Laughingly I joked and replied, "Just you wait, the next Biebs".....that seems to be my saving grace. Who doesn't have the fever? I'll be the first to claim that I do. If you haven't seen Justin's HIT movie, "Never Say Never" you are missing out. Not kidding. I cried. That's not a lie. It was so exciting and I was just so proud of him haha.

The reason I love these kids, yes love, is because I am so excited for them to be successful. You see, deep down I know I am supposed to be famous. Once upon a time I was destined to be a child star. Being on screen with Danny DeVito, Bill Cosby, Montell Williams (fashion show, not a disfunctional family episode), Cindy Crawford, Tom Bergeron, and more was a little glimpse of who has made me the theatrical person I am today (we'll get into this further another day). My mother had to become more serious as a professional teacher so the glory days of driving to NYC for auditions came to an end, but I am so freakin excited for kids like Cody that if an office rumor about me being slightly obsessed with a skinny-Australian-kid-who-happens-to-sing-well-and-do-other-stuff-too surfaces, so be it.

Check out Cody's new jam.....

I'm gonna say, what I know you've been thinking

Is that a man or a woman? God I hate that - feeling awkward for someone when they don't realize how awkward they should be feeling. I hope and pray that never ever will someone question whether my one day child is male or female. And you know what, I won't let that happen. Do you think the possible man-woman behind the counter knows what you and I are thinking? Are they doing it just to mess with us? Sometimes I think so. I mean, Pat has to know that his/her hair is shaped in such a way that it could be either gender. I know Jesse knows that her/his pants are just baggy enough to where I can't see a potential hoohah. Does Jamie wear that shirt because he wants to cover up his man boobs or because she doesn't want you to see that she has boobs in the first place......its all so misleading. How are you gonna figure it out, you ask yourself. Ahh Hah! I've got it! I'll ask them a question! Damn you're a clever SOB, patting yourself on the back. But no, nope. Just when you think you've got them figured out Alex opens his/her mouth and BOOM - - you have no f'ing clue. You just say thanks....Chief. And go about your day. I don't think I'm alone here. You may say, Hennessey, you are coming off a little on the bitchy side. I'd say - - Nay. I think I'm simply stating a situation that we have all run into, maybe a week, month, or even year ago. But I bet you anything that now that I have brought this topic to the surface of your mind, you will soon be laughing in agreement. Here's a couple to leave you guessing....

yeesh....we'll start with some "easy" ones

this may be too obvious, too

and of course SNL's Pat

Dothebat.com

http://dothebat.com/

Have you ever heard of planking? Well this makes that look like amateur hour. I'd like to thank my friend Skyler for always being creative in ways to be ridiculous. Stay tuned for me as a bat.

an example:

Beans Lee

Meet Sawyer Caroline Lee. Also known as Beans Lee.

She is the funniest, most precious little thing I've ever seen, and she's my niece. She is 5 months old and is spoiled rotten. It's amazing how much something so new to the world, that can't even talk or walk, can be loved. My eldest sister Whitney and her husband John have been so great with her and I am so lucky that they live in Atlanta, which is only about 3 hours from Greenville. Not even, so I get to see her more than most of my siblings, which is nice. There has been a lot of talk about nurseries and weddings and such and Whitney has a knack for both. I think Baby Beans' nursery was done when Whitney was only a few months pregnant. Whitney has always been the most prepared and decorative of us kids.

Beans is getting to that really fun stage where you can tell her personality is starting to show. She realizes she can use her hands and feet to grab things and has started to giggle constantly, which is so darn cute! She loves to dance and for some reason her eyes get glued to the television when John watches SportsCenter. Lucky for him I guess..... Sawyers toes are so long (they look like fingers) that maybe one day that will help her become some sort of an amazing athlete. We'll see. Either way I can't get enough of those pudgy cheeks and sweet little legs. Love, love, love her!

Hennessey In the Home

Since my freshman year of college I have been painting beer pong tables, coolers, canvas', windows, and more. It started out as a way of the "frat world". Being a date to a formal or mountain weekend it was your duty to make a cooler for your date and I guess that's when I truly found a nack for my craft. Countless nights in my apartment or living on the sorority hall were filled with paint pens and tiny tubes of acrylic paint. Knowing many friends with little time, checkbooks, and little to no artistic ability soon helped pump up my own wallet. Over time it became more of a business. It's perfect. I LOVE to paint, love to challenge myself, and love to try something new when it comes to being crafty. The most rewarding part is honestly seeing the reaction from the person who asked me for it. I offer total anonymity to the coolers - - if they wanted to say they painted it, go for it. I finally created a facebook page - Hennessey In The Home - and have most of my work posted there. Check it out when you get a chance. Here are a few of my coolers, canvas paintings, and other pieces I have done over the years.

I'd rather read a book

The worst show on television. I remember growing up, that any time the TV suddenly started playing the theme song, "Love and Marriage...." my mother would scream, "Nope, no, turn it off!". A new meaning to always listen to your mother. I was never disappointed because hearing the voices of Peg and Al Bundy weren't exactly a delight to the ear. The annoyance of the neighbor Marcy kind of got to me, too. So you can see I obviously watched a few episodes when my mother wasn't looking. After all like any bad car accident, you can't help but look. I had completely forgotten about the show until I was at dinner last night with Catherine, Lisa, and Stephen. Stephen had some friends stop by. One of the guys was boasting about "Beavis and Butt-head" coming back to MTV - as if they don't have enough crap playing already - when he mentioned one of his favorite shows. You guessed it, "Married with Children". My first reaction was a sound of disgust, followed by a laugh. I was actually shocked, who claims that as their favorite show? Shoot me. I got curious as to how he could still be a fan when it hasn't been on in so long... cancelled can you believe it? To my dismay though guess who is still carrying the show - TBS. I guess they are trying a new slogan - Not Funny. "Married with Children" currently holds the 6am time slot during weekdays. So that gives me another reason to sleep in. Individually I am a (somewhat) fan of each of the cast. OK, maybe just 2. Christina Applegate can make me laugh but her overall characters are annoying, and Ed O'Neill has won my heart on ABC's "Modern Family". Now that's a show. If you don't watch it, stop reading, leave and go watch a few episodes. It's one of the most genuinely funny programs out today and if you don't tune in, I'd literally be confused.

So I just found out that Amy Winehouse is dead

Is it just me or did we see this coming? Apparently "they" are still waiting to hear the cause of death. Really? I thought that was pretty obvious. An article from E! News stated that Amy's publicist, Chris Goodman, made the statement "Everyone who was involved with Amy is shocked and devastated". Shocked and devastated.....hmm, either they've been skiing the powder right along with Amy or Chris Goodman is as blind as Ray Charles. That's like saying you were shocked to find out Lance Bass was gay (though his lack of dance skills were misleading). So go ahead girls, pull those old Halloween costumes out and Rehab it up, because suddenly there's a lot more vodka for us to drink.
Read more: http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b254043_amy_winehouse_found_dead_in_london.html#ixzz1SyMJqzhs

Hennessey Family Beach Week

I'm missing it. For the first time in my entire life I will not be present at Hennessey (a.k.a Gunn-Barham-Hennessey) Family Beach Week. For those who don't know my family, think the Griswalds. Nothing EVER goes according to plan and we are very...unique? Marlene being a prime example. We'll get to her in a minute. In my immidiate family there are 4 of us kids - 2 older sisters, Whitney and Lindsay, and 1 younger brother, Billy. My parents are divorced yet we like to add that extra spicy element of still doing vacations as an entire family. I have 2 extremely brave and patient brother-in-laws, John and Dan, and 1 precious 5 month old niece, Sawyer....also known as Beans Lee. We vacation with my mothers side of the family. She also being 1 of 4 kids, each with kids of their own, has made our beach week(s) in the Outer Banks like something out of a movie. The stories told on the beach alone, are enough to make the 8 hour drive from Greenville worth it. I laugh more in a day with my family then most do in a week. You would too. Now that the majority of the group is 21+ the weeks seem to get even more unpredictable. I guess I'll touch on Marlene now.


Marlene became a member of my extended family almost 3 years ago on Christmas morning. My Aunt Penny (my moms sister) is hilarious and wanted to get my cousin Edward (her oldest son) something a little different that year. His last gift was going to be a treasure hunt to find the present. Reading his last clue sent Edward to the front door. Upon opening it he met and found Marlene. A tall, pale, slender woman wearing a very cute pink jumper and Santa hat. A little stiff, but ready to party.

Since then Marlene has attended several parties at UVA with Edward and Brian (cousin). Though sadly she has returned with less fingers - - her left hand now resembles "the shocker" thanks to some very mature frat boy - -  and a set of eye lashes missing. But after all she's seen I'm sure that's pretty good. Marlene has never missed a beach week and I'll be interested to see just how many she will be able to make it to. Now I think its funny, as do most people who walk past our family on the beach during the day, but I could see where it would be just a tad weird. Weird = fun. Right? If a family sitting on the beach with a manikin is weird sign me up. If a family dressed up as multiple countries singing the olympic theme song walking down the dune with a tiki torch leading the way is strange, well, we're strange. If a family riding around in an American themed school bus enhanced with a working toilet and stripper pole looking at Christmas lights is wrong, well then I don't want to be right. Like I said, my family is unique. In general I hate to miss out on things because I am always afraid I'm going to miss something. I think that has a lot to do with my social life and why I try to cram everything in. But when it comes to my family, if you aren't there, you are missing out. No questions. Here is proof I come from a different kind of fun.....