Another Update from the Road ......

I'm gonna be writing and posting pics of my trip for days to come once I finally get back to Philly. In the meantime, here's an update of what's been going on since the parade and celebrity sightings:

Friday was Oaks Day. At first I was jealous because the weather was so beautiful .... until about 1:30 when all hell broke loose and it downpoured - hard - for the next 18 hours. Didn't stop Schue and I though. I don't want to spoil the pictures, so I'll just give a little summary of Friday: a little honky tonkin, a schmancy Oaks party, mechanical bull riding, and a fried bologna party in a parking lot.

Saturday was Derby Day. I don't know how I could possibly find the words to adequately describe the day, so I'll take the high road and just do a little free word association. You say "Derby," I say:

searsucker
hats
money
sunshine
mint juleps
cigars
searsucker
wealth
sundresses
Gatsby
searsucker
flowers
horses
fancy
blue skies
luxury
searsucker
exhiliarating
celebrity
suits
sandals
extravagant

It was one of the most spectacular events I've ever attended, to say the least. Words just can't do it justice. Oh, and did I mention I've never seen so much searsucker in my whole life? Anyway, I know the whole event has a black cloud of tragedy hanging over it now, but I'm not sorry to say that 90% of the people at the track (including Schue and I) were oblivious to the whole thing because of the location where it happened. You simply couldn't see anything and there were no announcements. It's selfish to say (but I'll say it anyway), I'm glad I didn't find out til later --- the day was so much like something out of a movie, I want to remember it the way I experienced it. And my pics turned out incredible ... I can't wait to share!!

Sunday was moving day. We changed back to my normal hotel, now that it's no longer $4000 a night. We watched a terrible movie yesterday -- "There Will Be Blood." It ought to be re-named "There Will Be Snoring." With Daniel Day Lewis in it, I should have known that it would be too weird for me. Not to be a movie dummy, but I'm thinking I would've enjoyed "27 Dresses"much more. Those Oscar people are idiots. Just to be sure weren't literally bored to death, we revived ourselves and went for a nice dinner at the Maker's Mark Restaurant. Want to share in our experience? Close your eyes and picture this: order warm goat cheese appetizer ... waitress thinks it's a good idea (sucks in helium without you looking), and screams "yayyyyy" in a high pitched 2-year old voice ...... drop your knife on the ground and need a new one? .... helium -sucker waitress presents a new knife on a fancy red folded napkin like she's presenting a prestigous award .... I say 'thank you" .... helium sucker screams "yayyyyy" ..... we ask for dessert menu in case a bourbon ball should be in our future ..... helium-sucker screams "yayyyyy" ...... people next to us order fried chicken .... "yayyyyyy" ..... "we'll take the check please" ..... "yayyyyyyy." OK, open your eyes! YAYYYYYYYYY ... you survived my story of a 2 1/2-hour dinner at Maker's Mark.

And so now it's Monday and I had to go back to work. This time tomorrow I'll be back at my own little home sweet home, hugging and kissing my sweetie, and anxiously awaiting a good night's sleep in my own bed. It's been a long two weeks, but I wouldn't change a thing about it. Who'd have thought going to Kentucky and Alabama for 2 weeks would be one of those experiences of a lifetime -- and a good one, at that?!?!!

I really can't wait to show the pics ..... they are fabulous!