I know better

This morning, around 11:45am, I ventured out with a minor hangover from a Clemson win over Florida State. I made a mistake, and it's one I've made one too many times.

I've been in South Carolina long enough to know that if you literally just woke up and want immediate food, and you decide to get dressed in sweatpants, a sweatshirt, flip flops, with a paw tattoo still on your face your best bet is to go through a drive through. This ensures that all the Church goers (who hopefully prayed for you as well) won't look at with you a face of disappointment. But no, not today. I wasn't really thinking and I made my way over to the 'nice part of town' for what I hoped would be a Firehouse Sub. I walk in and the place was packed. With 5-7 faces of disgust upon me, and what was sure to be a 30 minute wait, I turned and walked out. Went across the street to a Panera Bread. As I go to enter the building I notice an elderly couple getting out of their car in the handicap spot closest to the door. I wait and hold the door open. As the man approaches, helping his wife on crutches I notice not only did he just leave church, but his name tag stated that he was the priest. This is what I call a double whammy. However I would like to think that regardless of the visual I was giving this man, I at least got points for waiting for them and holding the door. As he approached he said, "Man, how 'bout them Tigers". FANTASTIC. He likes Clemson! Wanting to gain more good graces with this man, I replied with jolly banter and big smiles. Assuring him that I felt wonderful and chose this 'relaxed' outfit, not resorted to it by the feeling of exhaustion brought on by day drinking. As we stould in line, one next to the other, pretending to pick out what we wanted to eat off the menu board (and by we, I mean me), he continued to enquire about my life. Questions as to where I lived, how old I was, what I did for a living, where I grew up, what brought me to Greenville, if I was in a relationship, if I was planning on being married, and more. I started to sweat. Then i wondered if he noticed, which only made it worse. Suddenly the sweatshirt was highly unnecessary. I've never wanted to order a panini so badly in my life. Finally to the register. Ordered. Gave my frequent buyer card they slide each time. What do you know - I have a FREE pastry. Excuse me, sir? Would you care for a danish? Heaven, here I come.

Moral of the story - on Sundays in the 'Bible Belt', after an entertaining social evening put a little more effort into yourself if you choose to be in public between the hours of 9am and 2pm.

on to 2012

Another successful wedding weekend! The now married, Shawn and Keaira Huffman are off to beautiful St. Lucia! This was the last of the 2011 weddings that I will be able to attend - sad to be missing out on Kayla and Jason (soon to be Chalfant's) next weekend, but I will be working our Radiothon for the Children's Hospital here in Greenville, SC.


2012 shows great promise for another busy "Wedding Season". Lots of fun couples and most of them are 'local' which helps the calendar....and the wallet. That being said, many more engagement parties, showers, and bachelorette weekends to close out 2011's "Wedding Season". It never gets old, I love it. Thank goodness, too. I don't know what Bed, Bath, and Beyond would do without my business.






Kayla and Jason (far left) were roommates of mine at the beach one summer in the OBX. There were 11 of us in a house in Nags Head, NC and it was basically like "The Real World". 6 guys, 5 girls and quite the interesting mix. They get married next weekend and I have to miss it. I am extremely bummed. Not only is it back in our old stomping grounds (OBX) but its going to be like a giant reunion of our beach family - The Morning Doves.

Tony and Whitney (centered) get married in January 2012 and have asked me to be a part of it. I have accepted, obvi, and cannot wait to get crazy with them. Whitney was my childhood best friend and I basically lived at her house growing up. The wedding is back in MD where I grew up, so crabcakes and football, here I come.

Mills and Lauren get married the following weekend in February. I frequently crash at Hotel Maxwell after nights downtown, even though my house is just a miles away. Mills and Lauren are a fun couple who like to partake in social events themselves, which has made us really good friends. Their sense of humor is outstanding. This Greenville wedding is sure to get rowdy.

Stephen and Lisa have a really cool story on how they met. If you believe in fate, you're a fan of them. Not too far behind Lauren and Mills, they'll get married early Spring in Simpsonville - one town over from Gville. Lisa and I met when I moved to Greenville through mutual friends and became close instantly. Walks and gossiping about our latest disasters and successes have brought many laughs. I'm super excited for this one, too.

Randy and Carolyn. FINALLY! I have been waiting for this one for a while. They've been together since we lived in doorms and attended frat parties like we were the coolest chics around. A Clemson wedding and sure to be a shit show. I love getting together with them because its constant laughter. Especially listening to stories from /about Carol. Love.

Meredith is my roommate and will be marrying the handsome Andrew. Her dress is stunning and totally Mer. Andrew and I share the same birthday so of course he's legit ;) Kicking off June with a wedding in Greenville is just the right way to start the Summer. Elegant and Class - this one will be a good one.

Kristen, another one of my beach "besties" met Nick in dental school, so that means one day they will have their own practice and be loaded - right Swartz? They are hilarious and I can't wait to make the drive to VA to see them. It can't come soon enough.

I would love to call out the other couples that will soon be added to this list, but I don't want to jinx it. Not that I believe it would, but I'll leave the pressure to the girlfriends.

Here are few of the cute married couples from over the years.

The Natty Daddy

The folks in St. Louis have joined the party! I present you the soon to be - Natty Daddy - with 6% Alcohol. Some family friends of ours are big timers for Anheuser-Busch and their son, who's around my age posted this picture on his facebook. They registered the trademark back in February and it just got approved in June. If you try to find anything on the web about it, you'll have a pretty hard time getting anything with actual information. Natty Daddy is categorized as a beer, so it's not supposed to taste anything like the energy drinks like Joose or the blackout leader, Four Loko. However, I'm hearing it will get the job done. Keep your eyes pealed for this tasty party in a can.

Movin' on up!

A local to Greenville, South Carolina - Charles Pate everybody! Charles is what I call a "real" artist, where I think of myself as more of a "pretend" artist. His work is no joke. For more, check out Charles' blog - www.cpatejr.blogspot.com

Congrats Charles!

Big crush. Huge.

John Harbaugh, you are one sexy, sexy man. And a win over the Steelers only makes you that much hotter. Married and with child, you are slightly unobtainable but watching you from afar is good enough I guess. Keep up the good looks and keep bringin home the W.

check him out - http://www.baltimoreravens.com/People/Coaches/John_Harbaugh.aspx

Am I right or am I right ladies? Total fox. Also, I'm calling it now.

The Ravens will be in the Superbowl in 2012.

102 Minutes

As my brother Billy recently commented on this video, "I don't care if you hate W. or are "against the wars", if this doesn't make you proud to be an American please do all us freedom loving Americans a favor and move to Canada"


I got chills when watching it for the first time. I recently wrote a nice, long of course, patriotic post for you guys about the upcoming anniversary of 9/11. When going to hit spellcheck I accidentally deleted it. Isn't that the worst feeling? I thought about writing it again right after, but you can't make the same greatness twice. That's like trying to re-create the same epic party twice; rarely can it be done. But I wanted to share a few things with you, so I thought I'd just touch on those again.


1. If you missed the History Channel special this past week on the capture and kill of Osama Bin Laden, do what you can to track down the 2 hour special. It was really cool and amazing to see what all went in to it. Especially the bad ass-ness of Seal Team 6 and the technology our military is working with.


2. Click here --> http://www.history.com/interactives/witness-to-911 . On Sunday, exactly 10 years later - to the minute - all A&E networks will be airing "102 Minutes That Changed America" starting at, I believe 8:43 a.m.


I've heard a lot of people say "ugh, I can't watch that stuff" and "I don't know why they keep making specials about it" - - it's because its history and a mass group of people lost their lives and loved ones. It's not going away, and especially this year, the 10th Anniversary, there will be something on every channel about it. I personally am interested in watching the documentary, particularly this special because it is almost entirely made of average Americans video footage, phone calls, and voicemails from the day of the attacks. For some people it's their final words ever heard. It's horrible yes, but again it's history. If you know me well, you are probably thinking Lacey doesn't know crap about history and you're right. But I was around for this one, remember? and maybe that has something to do with it. I have also had friends overseas fighting the war, so it hits home for me.


  

Have a great weekend. Be safe, GO TIGERS, and God Bless America!

25 in 25

Quick, before the day ends, I have to tell someone - I'll be 25 in 25 days. I can't wait. My birthday is my favorite holiday of the year, in front of 4th of July; which is tied with Thanksgiving for 2nd place, and I guess Christmas behind them. My birthday is just that...my day. I don't mean that in a really snobby way, honestly. I don't even mind sharing it with someone else, which is good because someone at work had to be a jerk and tell me that 9 million other people share the same birthday as me anyway. I just mean it in the way like when you get a haircut and people notice and they say, "Hey did you get a haircut? It looks great". Shit, maybe I do love it being about me a little. But you know what, I think thats ok. If nothing else its an excuse to get a little over the top with the booze, a little crazy with the dancing, and possibly a little louder than normal. Plus, my birthday always falls during football season, which is nice because it's kind of a guaranteed party. This year it's on a Sunday. Bummer. BUT that also means I get to start celebrating excessively early. On the 1st, Clemson is away at Virginia Tech, so I'm sure they'll be something going on here in Gville. Actually Carol - aka Mama Hen - is flying down to do a split visit between here and ATL to see my sister and the baby, so it's sure to be a fun weekend. I know I mention her quite a bit but if you haven't met my mom, and you have the chance, do it. She's super laid back, goes with the flow, and loves to meet everyone. Give her a glass of wine or two and you'll be entertained.

Last year we started celebrating early, too. Celebrations had to start on Thursday because, duh, it was karaoke night at the local hot spot, Oysters. May the bar Rest In Peace, for it no longer exists and my days of being a regular pop diva are gone....until the next place pops up. Either way, let it be known that I love my birthday and plan on making this one really count.

It's the quarter century - the big 2-5. Time really flows by doesn't it. Feels like just yesterday I was taking extremely cheap shots in downtown Clemson at the great, Loose Change dressed in some weird hat my friends made for me for people to sign for my 21st birthday. Every year in high school it was like a tradition for someone to buy me a boa as a gift, too. I guess my birthday theme is tacky?


Regardless the point I want to make is this. I don't think I will ever be the person that doesn't want to celebrate their birthday. I don't think I will ever mind telling someone my age either. The line is "age is just a number" right? Yes and I think no. It's definitely about the way you act. You can change that - you're maturity level, how laid back you are or not, whether you're a 'fun sponge'....but when it comes to birthdays and how old you are, it's nothing you can change. Own it. I will. Till the last one I have. 85 and singing "Total Eclipse of the Heart" with a random like this. Whoop.


Happy Birthday to you 9 million out there today.

My Television Debut (Childhood Secret Continued)

If you didn't read my post on September 2, go back and do so before watching the videos below. If you don't, you'll most likely find them odd and be really confused. Click Here ---> My Childhood Secret


So, let me preface what you are about to see with I guess somewhat of a disclaimer. 1) The quality is kind of sad because these were from the days of VHS, which were then converted to DVD, and then to the computer. 2) I rocked some pigtails hard core in elementary school and 3) the word "fashion" didn't seem to exist in the 90's


ok, here goes nothin'


The first commercial I ever did was a regional job - a PSA for Fire Prevention. This kid, who was supposed to be my brother, was such a tool. It's funny how I can remember certain things from each job. I just remember him being extremely obnoxious.

Next was a fashion show for the Montel Williams Show. I was in and out for this one. Literally arrived walked out on a stage (you can tell I have no idea what I'm doing there) and then left. HORRIBLE 90's outfits and even worse hairdo's - especially the lady who was a guest.

After that was a preview for MTV and Cindy Crawford's "The Goods". This was kind of cool for obvious reasons, but also because I auditioned with the lady who is 'having the dream'. Cindy Crawford was really nice and personable. These were during the days when she was married to Richard Gere.

Easter came around and I was hired for a Jello Jiggler commercial to promote Jello egg molds. They play the clip where I'm wiggling jello by my ears - blink and you'll miss it. What you don't see is the 2 hours that I had to eat jello and then start spitting it out in a cup because it started to be really gross. To this day I do not eat jello. Not even jello shots #traumatized.

I did an American Plastics commercial that ran for 2 years, which was nice, and they chose to run 2 different versions so they ran in a pretty good rotation. This was cool because I was in middle school at this point and understood what was going on, and even got to see it myself when watching TV at night.

FX came out with a new morning news program called, "Breakfast Time" with its host being Tom Bergeron - former host of Hollywood Squares and today's host of Dancing with the Stars. The Hennessey Family, Michael Moore, and comedian Jeff Dunham were this weeks guests. This one was kind of long and had trouble uploading, so maybe another day. Be on the look out.

That's all I could dig up for now. Until next time....party on.

I'd get in those pants for sure

Dear Kevin Plank,

Thank you first and foremost for giving people something to do this rainy, labor day night. If it weren't for you and what I would call the best decision ever, thousands of people would have had nothing to 'tweet' about tonight - including Lebron James who really got creative and said, and I quote, "Ewwww". Unlike all these people I find the new uniforms tasteful, full of MD pride, and basically bad ass.

Sincerely,
L. Hennessey

but seriously, I wish I could personally thank Mr. Plank, founder of Under Armour and former UMD special teams captain. Kevin Plank hooks it up for Maryland's sports teams. Their headquarters are located in Baltimore, Maryland and growing up so close to UMD, as well as having several family members attend the school, I'm somewhat of a fan myself. Obviously I'd choose Clemson over them, but I'm sure that would lead to other discussions. So I'll stick to the topic at hand.

I would put money on the fact that any one you have met from the great state of Maryland, loves where they came from, and loves the flag even more. It's different. It's got a lot going on. Very different to South Carolina's palmetto flag, but similar in the way that its recognizable and people love it. I would tell you that I can see where some may find this uniform an 'eye sore', but I would be lieing. I am obsessed. I am obsessed with the flag, the state, and the town of Bumfuck, Maryland I grew up in.......really it was tiny Centreville, Maryland (Queen Anne's County - right on the eastern shore side of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge - 20 mins from Annapolis), but you probably couldn't find it on a map if you tried. Some friends down here in the south may see me as a "Yankee", and that's okay. I know that they don't understand the Mason Dixon Line or that my town consists of 4 stop lights, a town square, and basically the makings of a country song....4H Fair and all. But no matter where your Maryland friend is from, know this - -  They love their flag..... and probably the Orioles, too. So clearly it doesn't matter how bad or ugly someone thinks it/they are. There's a pride to it, and it's not going anywhere.

To educate yourself, click to find out more....
* Queen Anne's County, Maryland

* Under Armour

* The Baltimore Orioles

* The Baltimore Ravens

 Hometown friends (Ravens Cheerleaders)
      - Heather
      - Alyssa
     - Spencer

* Natty Boh

* Maryland's favorite sport - Lacrosse

My Childhood Secret

Once upon a time, I was on the road to somewhere big. There were tabloids, red carpets, and cameras in my future. Thennnnn the real world set in and my Mom became a full time teacher, which doesn't exactly have the greatest flexibility when it comes to taking off a couple days a week. Bye bye fame. Hello normalcy. Eh, I'm not complaining but sometimes I do wonder.....especially because Hayden Panettiere and Mischa Barton were in my group at Whilemina.

I've told a handful or two about this childhood secret of mine, but when brought up at work the other day, I was told it explains a little more of my "theatrical" side.....so here goes nothin'. I'll start with a little background. In the first grade I went to a private school (Montessori) in Annapolis, MD. My mother picked me up from school one day and took me to this place to get professional pictures of  me made - like head shots. The lady there asked my mom if she had ever thought about taking me to NYC (a short, 4 hour car ride from our home). Of course she hadn't, but at the time she was a Substitute Teacher and making the trip up there occasionally for auditions wasn't a big deal. So we went and I signed with Wilhelmina Models kids division, Wee Willys, for my print work - catalogs, magazines, etc. Then signed with their sister company, 1st Global, for TV and Film. It all was very exciting. Over the next few years I was in a bunch of catalogs, magazines, and commercials. Tried out for some movies and TV series - got pretty close on a few. I have most of the commercials on tape, but not sure how to get them on the computer. I'll see if I can scrounge up those gems for you. In the mean time.....

These were some of the catalogs I was in during the '90's. That sexy cow number was purchased by my Grandmother that following Christmas for me. Guess I should have told Grammy that they MADE me wear it. It's the thought that counts right? The Dalmatian faux fur jacket was hot as balls. I may have been young but I can still remember that awful 102 degree weather while wearing a winter coat, tights, and a hideous hat that I would have for sure been beat up for should I have ever been made to wear it in public as a child. Got to do a Jello commercial with my main man, Bill Cosby for an Easter jello egg mold, then was with Cindy Crawford for an MTV/Nick @ Nite show she had coming out called "the Goods" - I believe during '94.

My family got stopped on the sidewalks of Manhattan by the producers of a new, news show called FX Breakfast Time, with Tom Bergeron as one of its hosts. Filmed in Madison Square Park its studio was a huge apartment. The show had tons of guests, and The Hennessey family was one of them. We also were with comedian, Jeff Dunham, and Michael Moore - who wasn't even that over weight at the time. I have that on tape somewhere, too.

So there's a little insight to my childhood "secret". I'll have to figure out how to upload the commercials and shows......especially the Montell Williams fashion show I was on, hahah, yes - Montell Williams and it was the early 1990's. It's a real spectacle. Tootlles.

Guess What!?! I'm....

I was on the 5 year plan in college and man, did I make it count. If there were/are 2 things I was/am great at it was/is drinking cold beverages and finding people to do it with. That's people to drink the cold icy beverages with (aka beer) not find dudes to sleep with... I can see where that might have come out wrong. Anyway, that has led to an ongoing joke at my office several years later (flash to present day) that every time an event date pops up, someone will turn to me and ask, "Wait, Lacey, do you have a wedding that weekend?". The answer is normally yes. If not a wedding, a bridal shower, engagement party, bachelorette weekend, etc. I use the phrase, "My friends are dropping like flies" to explain my social life lately. For some reason over the past year and a half a large group of my friends have all decided its time to take the plunge. I'm definitely in that age range so it's nothing out of the ordinary and almost all of them I saw the proposal coming, so that's a good thing I guess - not that it matters. It's like what happened several years ago where all those middle school girls teamed up and decided it'd be a good idea to get knocked up by their boyfriends at the same time; somewhere out in the Midwest or something. Only this time around its a bunch of guys buying expensive finger loops and girls throwing really pretty parties.  And a lot goes into throwing a wedding. I've had the real pleasure of attending 12 of these spectacles in 2011 and will be attending at least 7 in 2012.

Some of my friends have even asked me to be a part of them which has been a real pleasure. Sadly I had to miss out of the Dawson/Snipes nuptials due to being the MOH in my best friend from High Schools big day, but I managed to still be there.....thanks Duncan.

These have been some class A functions, and I've been super impressed. I feel like I've gained quite a bit of experience in the bridal department and here are my thoughts on some of the "important" details, take 'em or leave 'em.  

1. The phrase to the left is depressing. Not because I'm single going to all these weddings - trust me, that's the fun part - but the word "divorce". It happens, a lot. Did in my own family. But I can proudly say that EVERY wedding I have been too (thus far), I see lasting the long haul. I hope they agree.

2. Where do you draw the line? Invite who you want to invite and forget the rest. If you wouldn't go out to dinner with someone then they shouldn't be given a free meal on you. And if you are THAT girl or guy (usually girl) who feels you should have been invited, then they did the right thing by not inviting you.

3. Plus 1's go to those in serious relationships. Or to everyone at a large wedding. I find that I have the most fun at weddings without one. Use it as an opportunity boys and girls.

4. I love being part of a wedding. It's a front row seat, I've been blessed with nice dresses that I will actually wear again, and you get to go to the rehearsal dinners. Boom. Good food,  embarrassing stories, and even better drinks. I've been successful at having a monster hangover many atime the morning of a wedding. I should add 'rallying' to my resume.



5. Thank God for my 2011 Tax Return. Without it, honestly I don't know what I would have done. Its gross to think about the amount of money I have spent on friends this year. I know they'll do it for me, right?  Either way, weddings are a frickin blast. I hate it when I have to miss one.

I can always seem to justify spending the money, too. Especially when its something of a "life" landmark like getting married. There's a handful of couples I'm still waiting for any day now for one of them to call and tell me the good news - - that they are engaged, that another party is on the way, and that its time yell, "more champ please!"

wheeewh, sorry - I'm known for making a short story long. I have quite the amount of wedding knowledge, general opinion, and stories to tell from wedding weekends.....such as 2 bridesmaids (sisters of the bride and groom) getting food poisoning the night of the rehearsal. Yes, exactly like the movie "Bridesmaids". I'll touch on that another day.....I think its been long enough to look back and laugh, right Whit? Amy?