Next Level Disney Vacay

I've been part of the Eikenberg Vacation Club since '92 - but this trip to Disney World just went to the next level. #dom #rundisney #takemeback

Next Level Family Vacay

Thank You Gchat

I may be late to the game, but yesterday my world was opened up. I received a Gchat tip that will change my work day as I know it.

I do event management for a living so most of my days involve tedious excel spreadsheets and documents. Flipping back and forth to Gmail is not always a good idea. Plus my position in a community cubicle leads me vulnerable to those who walk by – my screen is for everyone to see. I work hard, we all do, but we also all know the importance of Gchat to a mid-20something. As I approach 30 (my 29^th birthday is next week), I don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel. A younger, fresh out of college, co-worker gave me a tip that allows chats galore, while staying on any screen allowing you to live a little more incognito. It’s like ESPN’s March Madness screen. With a click of a button you join work and play. Join me:

Pull up Chrome

Go to the upper right hand corner of your screen and click the “3 Bars”

Click “Settings”

You will be taken to a new screen, on the left hand side click “Extensions”

Scroll down and find “Get more extensions” – click it

You will be taken to a new screen, in the upper left hand corner type “hangout” into the text box

You will be taken to a new screen, scroll to mid page and find under Extensions, “Hangouts”, click “Add to Chrome”.

It will take a second and then tell you it’s done. Exit that screen.

Now in the upper right hand corner next to your “3 Bars” you will find “ “ in a green thought bubble. Click it.

Your “hangouts”/all your recent chats will pop up in a box. 

Click on one of those people and go to something you’re working (excel doc, work doc, company email, etc.) – all of your chats should now be able to pop up regardless if you are on your current Gmail page or not. Enjoy!

Sandwich Launcher

My neighborhood area has an online social network called "Nextdoor" where you can post alerts, need to know info, questions, for sale items, etc. This post made me laugh out loud and I just had to share.

Destination Unknown

3 girls were enjoying their 3rd glass of wine at a happy hour 3 months ago when they started to discuss all the places they never go. One of those girls was me. After a 20 minute conversation of we should do this - we should do that - why don't we ever go to blank - we said OK let's do it. So we formed the group Ladies Destination Unknown. Being the event planner, I volunteered to create a calendar and send out an email for interest. Like moths to a flame, the group grew quickly. With more than 25 girls in the "club", I assigned 2-3 people per month to act as the hosts.

The idea:

Once a month the "club" will get together and do something the majority of the girls probably haven't experienced. It can be an activity or it can be a destination. If it's your turn to host, you decide. You also choose the date. Typically we shoot for the 3rd Thursday of the month, but it's all up to the hosts. As a participant, you can either attend or it's understood you'll catch the next one. With no back and forth and always having a targeted day of the month, it's easy to plan and there's no added stress. Once you're ready to pull the trigger on your designated month, you send the group the limited details they need to know.

1. How much money to bring
2. Where and when to meet
3. What to wear

The rest is simply entertaining. As soon as the details are announced the group always begins to speculate and figure out the plan. Rarely correct we'll meet the night of the event and ask a few YES or NO questions before hitting the road.

It's human nature to go to your usual spots and stick with your normal routine. Destination Unknown is an excuse to go somewhere you're curious about, that potentially could suck, or potentially could be a hidden gem in Greenville that no one even knows about. Prime example - stop #1 - Le Mans Karting.

February - Le Mans Karting
Meet at Kelly's at 6pm
Bring your ID and $25 - $5 of it needs to be in cash.
Where flat shoes

The result:
50MPH high performance go karts
2, 15 minute rides
$20 to ride - $5 cash for the pizza that was waiting for us upon arrival

March - #DUSH (Destination Unknown Scavenger Hunt)
Meet at Lauren's at 6pm
Bring your ID and at least $40
Dress casually and flat shoes are suggested 

The result: 
Received our first clue upon arrival
called 2 Ubers
Bar hopped along main street; each bartender had the next clue
Total cost to be paid to Lauren via venmo - $10 - killer night.

April - Skyzone
http://www.skyzone.com/

Meet at Meagan's at 6pm
Pay Emily $10 in advance
Wear athletic gear

The result: 
wall to wall trampolines, foam pits, and the ability to finally dunk a basketball 
(the crowd went wild - see video)
30 minute trampoline sesh followed by dinner and drinks

Naked.

Naked ice skating. I said in my last post I'd fill you in. Sometimes I honestly wonder where, and definitely why, my mind goes and wanders where it does. To really think about my train of thought and how I get from point A to point B so quickly is comical. In this case I was thinking about the Olympic ice skaters as I watched them perform. Then I thought about my own ice skating experience this winter. Then I went back to the Olympics and how badly it must hurt to fall. I was terrible after all. How badly your raspberry must be on your thigh...or on, well, another body part. For example:

Now picture that naked. Go ahead, watch again. I know, right?! Terrible. Then of course my mind wandered into uncomfortable territories of paired skating, ice dancing, etc. Allow your mind to wander with this image:

Naked. Lots of exposure there. Let's keep the leotards, shall we? Not long after creating a new Olympic sport, sure to gain viewership much like one of my favorite shows - Naked and Afraid - I ended up in a conversation about another hair brained idea - Cardio Computers. My co-worker and long term friend, Hannah, had her father create her a stand up desk. It's actually really cool and an excellent display of craftsmanship, if I do say so myself. One end has short legs (about a foot long) and the others go to the floor. This way, she can add it to her current desk and remove it as she sees fit. There were 2 reasons for the standing desk. 1) She is tired of sitting all day working as a Creative Designer with little movement, and 2) it's healthier. Per usual, my mind wandered. 

How do I sit > eww, mostly hunched over at my desk > what can I do > I walk to the printer a lot > we DO take occasional "Frat Laps" around the building > what about.... insert image of Dwight Schrute on the exercise ball/fitness orb > insert image of me doing that > insert thought of my own co-worker with scissors > I laughed > what else? > biking is healthy > pedaling at my desk > pedaling for energy > energy for my computer > pedal to keep your computer on > the faster you pedal, the faster your Internet > the faster your Internet, the more gchat conversations > Cardio Computer. #Boom.

I don't see that happening. After all, I think I ate half a tray of Girl Scout Cookies at work today. They were Samoas, don't judge. We've all been there. Let your mind wander about that.

I'll leave you with this gem. She didn't see it coming. Clearly. $10's says she would have thrown in the towel if she was naked. #gamechanger

Segs In The City

I know what you're thinking - what a badass. I'll admit, at first I was like a baby deer trying to get her balance. Very uneasy and I definitely moved cautiously. Though within minutes, like a moth to a flame, I was drawn to the motion. You would be, too. 

A few months back Will and I were chatting and I had mentioned a Groupon or Living Social deal, or something along those lines. He had said he was 'only sent the good ones' from friends. So naturally when Greenville Glides had a "Segway Tour for 2" pop up in my email, I passed it along. Jokingly of course; as if this was the best one I had seen yet. Within minutes, the idea of the tour became a gchat reality as to which one of us were going to buy the adventure of a lifetime. This was actually going to happen. A week later when the deal was sold out, selling 175 tours and Will and I not being one of them, disappointment set in. What once was a joke, turned into a "next time". One July morning while brushing my pearly whites, my phone went off with an email alert. A Living Social gem and true surprise. There she was, a Greenville Glides Segway Tour. Without any hesitation I passed it along. Sold.

For the past 2 months I have been watching what I have referred to as the "idiots" ride up and down the streets of Greenville, fully equipped with the look of fear in their eye and a helmet on their head. Most moving at a snails pace, focused on what's ahead, and showing a death grip on the handlebars; they never see me taking a picture with my iPhone. The rest - enjoying themselves so much they'd be the cover photo for the next advertisement. I would laugh (at all of them), and then continue to laugh thinking about myself on one of those baby's. After big cheesin' on a segway for 2 hours straight, I get all of it. Allow me to explain.

Like I previously mentioned, when I first got on, I was a hot mess. You see when you arrive at the place, you watch a video about all the ways you could hurt yourself or damage their $6,300 transportation unit, and then sign a waiver releasing them of any harm....plus I was literally hot. The door was open to the outdoor heat and my roommate Lauren bombarded the scene for a paparazzi photo, catching me very off guard. Could I blame her? Of course not.

Anyway, you hop on the thing and it calibrates and adjusts according to your balance. Then you literally drive it with your toes and heels. Leaning forward and backwards to help stop and go. The handlebar, as I quickly discovered, was merely for decoration and a place for your arms to rest. Will and I both took our test runs indoors and then quickly ventured out onto the streets. Within minutes we got the hang of it and were cruisin' down Main Street as if no one was staring at us. Trust me. They were. Karma is a real bitch. 

We got some good looks, a couple chuckles, and luckily no other paparazzi appearing from the bushes. Which is surprising since many of our friends laughed out loud for several minutes, simply of the thought of either of us on a segway (I'm going to go out on a limb and say that they were laughing mainly at Will...look how natural I look on that thing ;). I do believe I saw one camera, though this woman tried to be pretty sly about it. Like I said, I get it. We looked ridiculous. I'd like to think I can pull off a lot of things, but a clunky green helmet is not one of them. Maybe those with the death grip I saw were just nervous. Nervous due to judging spectators, like I once was. Our tour guide Steve did say there always tends to be one lady in the group that slows everybody else down. My fear was that that lady could be me. Thus leading to my extreme caution when first stepping onto my new wheels. Nahhh....not me. Not on a segway. Like lightning this one. Once we grabbed the brisk, top speed of 12mph you couldn't wipe the smile off my face. It was either that or listening to the man in the overalls (probably named Gandalf, pictured behind me) tell Steve about his dinner plans. That made me smile, too. 

Will and I got lucky and didn't have any other riders on our tour, so Steve got to take us more places than normal. I would highly recommend going on one of these things if you have the chance. I'd definitely do it again. The next time I see a pack of "idiots" segway-ing down the street, I'm going to wish I was one of them.

Look at us go....big cheesin'.

Ted

Every so often a movie comes along that you just know everyone will find funny....with the exception of maybe my mother. I can already here her say "Oh that looks so stupid". I say that only because when our family is together around holidays and we are laughing at the tube while Family Guy is playing and my brother does impressions, she's laughing more at him than the original content. Either way, I'm pumped about Ted.

Ferrell and Galifianakis

I can't wait.

"Where do I get my inspiration...Applebees"

It's videos like this, that make me love the Internet. My favorite line.... "You can not buy a braided belt that is too long".

"Pick one color, find two shades, there's your outfit"

Indognito at the Stache Bash

I found the most amazing toy for both yourself and your dog. It's a mustache dog toy. A ball  simply attached to a mustache. Genius.

http://www.muttropolis.com/products2.cfm/ID/9275/name/Humunga-Stache-Durable-Dog-Toy&utm_source=Affiliate&utm_medium=Affiliates&avad=29229_b2c8e95d



Mustaches seem to be the new mullet. Everyone finds them outstanding, and even I respect someone in an odd way that can grow a gnarly stache. My brother and cousin Edward try to grow them during the Orioles baseball season and don't shave when they lose....since neither of them can really grow one, they end up looking ridiculous, but to them "it's glorious". A friend of mine throws a big fundraiser during the month of March. He calls it "Mustache March". David (the MC on the right) gets people to put money down and grow a mustache during the month. If you shave,  you owe money. Then for those that can't grow one and want to see these works of art, he throws a big BBQ and Keg party at his home called the Stache Bash, fully equipped with live music, every tailgating game imaginable, and a trophy for the best mustache. He encourages people to raise money on their own as well. All proceeds go to benefit a local school's after school program, and its a good bit of money. Pictured below is the changing of hands of this years trophy. New winner and most money raised went to our friend Kemp (left), and of course the champion of all things mustache, Mitch, handing it over. David went for more of a Wizard of Oz theme this year with his stache curling at the ends.

All are welcome, and encouraged, to join the forces of Mustache March.



Mustache March info from previous years



Other reputable and recognizable staches of our time.

The articulate "Mr. George Feeny" and Tom Selleck

 



Suri's Burn Book

For those that love Hollywood gossip, humor poking fun of celebs, or for anyone else that finds themselves staying up until 11 pm just to catch an episode of Chelsea Lately....this site is for you - http://surisburnbook.tumblr.com/

Suri Cruise, daughter of Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise, is set as the host of the site. She mocks and jokes about the daily ridiculousness of Hollywood....scroll and scroll and scroll some more through the site. It's hilarious. Well done, "Suri".

Click here to get to Suri's Burn Book.

Oh Baby!

I get it from my Mama......my poem writing skills that is. I guess my work email really got me going, or maybe I did this before and it resulted in the email? Either way, I have a great idea for you! So this weekend I went to a baby shower. 2 of my friends could not be in attendance so the 3 of us went in on gifts together and then I wrote a poem to go along with the delivery of each gift.

Here was the poem (the gifts that correspond with the number are at the bottom of the email):

Sweet baby Emerson is on her way,

June 2^nd will be here without delay.

So Lizzie sit back and enjoy your shower,

While you get gifts galore to provide Mommy Power.

We couldn't decide on just one thing to buy,

So we decided to give you quite a supply,

A supply of gifts, all things that you’ll need,

We’ll start with #1, the one to help you feed.

The pads are for her time, before drinking from a cup,

But open #2, for anytime she throws up!

She’s gonna be adorable, just listen to her name,

Just like her mother, she won’t be very lame.

So when she gets into trouble, or scuffs up her knee,

Use this to clean her up, go on and open 3.

Your first couple weeks, you’ll probably stay at home,

But soon thereafter, you’ll want go out and roam.

You’ll have normal errands, like heading to the store,

Baby Emerson will look so darn cute, cruising in #4.

We’re glad to have you in Greenville Lizzie, now open #5

This is for all your long car rides, and hopefully easy drives

If getting groceries doesn’t make her feel like the queen,

Then blocking the sun will do the trick, cuz man those shades are mean!

After a while and with how quickly the time will go,

Soon she’ll be eating mush that’s one thing I do know.

Flavors of carrots, bananas, and or peas,

#6 is for the above or even Mac n’ cheese.

Open up 7, you’ll use it every day,

Keep it in the kitchen, or wherever it may stay.

As she gets older you’ll start to use #8,

It’s never too late to start planning, for that later date.

That’s why we got her, gift #9

With this fashion statement, girl be lookin’ fine!

There’s one last thing I know you’ll want, besides some extra cash,

And that this tube of buttpaste, for some nasty rash J

Lizzie we’re ecstatic for you, you’ll make an amazing mom,

Just don’t start using old mom lingo, like I’m the bomb.com

You’re beautiful, you’re glowing, you’re all that we’d expect,

You’re everything Emerson will be, and that my friend is per-fect.

Gifts we gave to go with it:
#1 - Breast pads
#2 - Burp Pads
#3 - Bath wash and shampoo
#4 - Shopping cart seat cover
#5 - Car Window Shades
#6 - Soft Spoons
#7 - Drying Mat
#8 - Bowls with lids
#9 - Soft Hat
then I gave her a tube of Buttpaste (yes, its actually called Buttpaste) because my sister and brother-in-law swear by this stuff with my niece, Sawyer.

Feel free to use my poem, or create your own. It went over well and I think its fun to get presents from all areas of a registry for someone! Enjoy!

A Tale of Two....

We all know I think I am can be quite witty and this morning at work was no different. Thus, why I find myself using the beginning of my lunch break to share with you my message. To preface, I cleared this with HR and still have a job.


A co-worker came into my office this morning upset about something she saw in the ladies room. To her dispare she saw not 1, but 2 different applicators for someones womanly time floating in the bowl in the handicap stall. Gentlemen reading, I apologize for discussing this topic. It's nature and your girlfriend may be the culprit. Anyway, my co-worker wanted to send out an email to the women of our workplace but I guess found that I may be better at sharing this news? I, of course, welcomed the opportunity to send a company wide (this time just to the ladies) again. Read Office Theft, and Lean Cuisines for another company send out.


Here was today's....

The best "waste" of time EVER

http://www.27bslash6.com/index.html

Just trust me. This guy is hilarious.

Snookin' for love

I've never been so excited for Halloween as I was for this year, nor have I ever fully committed to a costume like I did. If you can't tell (or you are a hermit completely out of touch with pop culture) I strived to be Snooki from MTV's the Jersey Shore. My newly dyed, jet black hair was only the beginning. I had my sights set for a fake butt (I joke that my lack of rear end is just an extension of my lower back) but the facial expressions and looks I was given EVERYWHERE I asked for some sort of padded caboose, quickly made me think my own suited just fine. Especially after I found the pleather skirt that hugged me tightly... not sure what else would have been able to fit. Luckily for society the top/leotard I wore was not a legit shirt for retail sale. I found this gem at Halloween Express with the cast costumes and cut off the tail. Luckily because of my job and the party we were throwing, I got it without cost - along with the glasses and bracelets, too. I made my boots with tha furrrr! Took some fur fabric from Hobby Lobby that would have made the fugliest blanket or worse, vest, and wrapped it around my already comfy boots. It looked as if I had murdered and sheered a cat in my living room constructing these. The headband was the finishing touch. Snooks had been rockin' one this season so I splurged for my own. Confession: I've worn it twice this week. Maybe a little on overload but I like it. I'm just sayin. In fact, if I'm being honest, I really enjoyed wearing my costume. Maybe I have a little 'meatball' in me after all. I also have found that this hair color is really growing on me. Initially I felt as if I had some sort of bad ass attitude or had to wear all black, but now I dunno, maybe its me....? Sill hoping it washes out by, maybe, Christmas, but we'll see. I'm sure the suspense will be killing you....

Anyway, I spent my holiday at the B93.7 Halloween at the Hyatt party in downtown Greenville, SC with about 1,500 others. The first lady I saw asked me if I was Lady Gaga. When telling her "No", her next guess was, "A stripper?". I should have told her that the white bathing suit and blue glitter she was sporting gave me no idea what the hell she planned on being. Flash forward a few hours and I'd find this....

Oh, ok, I just needed to see the wings I guess. So you are an angel??? Still till this moment I'm clueless. There were some real spectacles at the party. One guy/girl (I honestly have NO idea) was sporting some sort of dominatrix attire. He/She walked better in heals than I think I do myself. He/She was by him/herself all night, which made it even creepier. Perhaps I am being to harsh? See for yourself.

Creepy, right?! Anyway, I started getting asked to be in pictures with people I didn't know so I felt pretty great about my work as Snooki. Especially when the opening theme song for the show "Get Crazy" came on. I went nuts as some of you may be able to imagine! The night was fun and I eventually ran into a 'Pauly D' look-a-like. Looking forward to Thanksgiving in a few weeks when I will become an Indian. Should be hilarious.

Kevin Bacon

What idiot took this off the air?

I'm curious if there is a camio in the new "Footloose".

Curious enough to actually see it though? Not so much.

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

Greenville's version of Rockefeller Plaza

http://hedillard.wordpress.com/2011/08/30/channeling-rockefeller-center/

Check out my friend Hannah's post. She works for Crawford Strategy here in Greenville and today they held a big press conference about the soon to be outdoor ice rink in downtown Greenville. I think it's going to be awesome! It will be here before we know it. Scheduled for November 25, 2011 we'll have "Ice on Main". Hannah reports that Mayor Knox said, "It will be one of the largest outdoor ice skating rinks in the southeast".

 

There will be a huge Christmas tree at the top of the stairs, areas for spectators to look down upon the rink and festive music all around. Thank Hannah for the exciting news.

Check out her blog - http://hedillard.wordpress.com

How to get people to go away

This is Jennifer Marbles. She's a complete nut job but for that she has been getting millions and millions of hits on YouTube, her blog, and her vlog (video blog). Most of her videos are over the top and vulgar, so they keep your attention if nothing else because you are appalled. She does everything from impressions to stories to stuff like this. I appreciate this video because I enjoy making ugly faces at people. Mostly for laughs, but also because sometimes I just want certain people to go away or to stop talking. So I guess from here on out, if I make this face, well.....

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