Fun. and the Dallas World Aquarium

About a week ago we drove down to Dallas, Texas to see Fun.  Unfortunately all the best shows don't always make a stop in Arkansas. Sometimes we get lucky, sometimes we don't.

Tegan and Sara opened for Fun. at the Gexa Energy Pavillion, a pretty big outdoor venue in downtown Dallas.  We had a great time just sitting on the lawn, drinking beer, and watching Fun. do their thing.

The next day we woke up, had some lunch, and headed over to the Dallas World Aquarium.  I can't tell you what I learned exactly; I was too busy ogling the animals.  

These little buddies were the first I laid eyes on.  They were too cute just hanging out and eating the little bugs in each other's hair.  You know, just bonding.  

And this guy!  I literally could have reached up and touched him.  It was strange to be so close and see how slow sloths actually move.

Some were threatening, even at a distance.

And some looked quite familiar.

Maybe one day I'll be lucky enough to see some of these in the wild.

I think its pretty obvious I was more than thrilled to be at the aquarium.  I walked around in awe of everything I was seeing.  I'm excited even now to share these pictures with you.  Sadly the photos don't quite do the animals justice.  

If you want to see these guys in the flesh, feathers, or whatever it may be, pay Dallas World Aquarium a visit next time you're in town.  An adult pass is $20 and parking is cheap.  

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Blog and Book Club: Chelsea Handler's My Horizontal Life

I love reading.  I always have.  But when people ask me about my hobbies, I’m stumped; I always just look at them like “What hobbies?”  Then I remember that I spend most of my down time reading so that has to count as a hobby, right?  The only problem is I never have anyone who can discuss books with me.  So on any given day while talking with any given person, I’ll end up starting sentences like this, “A character in my book…,” or “In the book I’m reading…,” or “Have you read…?”  You get the picture.  It makes me feel like some kind of nerd.  So in order to help myself avoid those situations, I’ve gone out on a limb and started a book club.  A group of friends obligated to talk about books with me?  Perfect.

Last month’s title was My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One Night Stands written by Chelsea Handler.  A Chelsea Handler book was called for, so I decided we should start with her first published work.

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA; Later Printing edition (May 12, 2005)  ISBN-10: 1582346186

The book is about just what it sounds like it is about.  Handler’s wit and humor shine through the pages as she tells the world about some of her more memorable one night stands.  She open’s with a story from her childhood.  Picture this: a very headstrong seven year old Chelsea sneaking into her parents room on a dare and snapping a shot of her parents in the throes of passion.  And thinking she has gotten off scot free.  Handler chooses now to introduce us to her rather judgmental father in the first pages. I can only assume its because he adds a considerable amount of humor to the later pages.  As she takes us through her twenties, has us laughing at her and her friends' alcohol infused antics and the various men she chooses to take to bed.  From cheap cruise performing boys that are barely legal to the man you see smiling at you from the bank posters.

As far as I can tell, the book is based on truth, or so the reader is supposed to believe.  But it’s hard to know when Handler openly admits to readers that she makes up incredible stories and passes them off as true, something that adds an extra punch to her cock tales.  

I was a little surprised when the book wasn’t as vulgar as I had anticipated.  It was actually refreshing; I enjoyed reading about Chelsea’s shenanigans more than I would have enjoyed reading explicit sexual content starring Chelsea Handler, the woman I watch on late night television.
What I liked best about the book?    Handler's stories encourage reader’s to take chances.  To do what you want, when you want, and nothing you don’t want.    

So, if you’re looking for an easy read that will make you laugh out loud, I’d recommend My Horizontal Life.  You can buy the book from any major book dealer, but I just borrowed it from the local library's electronic collection.  

And please don't forget to let me know what you thought! 

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Arkansas v. University of Louisiana Lafayette

Last weekend was opening day for the Razorbacks.  If you live in Arkansas, you already knew that.  I had to move some stuff around in my schedule in order to make it, but it all worked out just fine.  

Heading up to Fayetteville for a game is always exciting.  Maybe its the stadium I like so much.  I'm always impressed by the field and the humongous video board.  I guess that's why its called a JUMBO tron.

The atmosphere was electric.  Everyone was so pumped up about the new coach and our team's chances this year.  We aren't delusional or anything; we don't expect to win it all, but we do expect to win.  Or at least we hope we do.  ULL was our first victim of many, I hope.  As a novice Hogs fan, the best I can do is keep the hope alive.

Our little ole seats.

I'd have to say the worst part about it was the heat.  That Arkansas summer was slow to come on, but arrived in full force for the first game of the season.  Wouldn't have expected any less.  =)

Unfortunately I didn't have a photo op until the end of the game.  By then I was good and sweaty.  Oh well though.  What's a girl to do?

Today, the Hogs are playing in Little Rock.  The city is alive with it.  I'm not able to make it to the game, so y'all let me know how much fun y'all had!!

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I am the MOH

On Friday, one of the last days of August, I helped my best friend shop for a wedding dress.  I am to be her Maid of Honor, a post I have never held before, so this will all be new for me.  Honestly I am a little nervous;  I'd never want to disappoint my favorite bride!
Our shopping trip was a preliminary one.  Katie had made an appointment at David's Bridal, a large retailer in the USA, Canada, and Puerto Rico.   She wanted to try on as many different styles of gowns as she could to get a good idea of what would look best on the big day.
Unfortunately when we arrived at David's Bridal on Chenal Parkway, we had catalogs thrust at us and were promptly forgotten.  After about thirty minutes of struggling in the dressing room on our own, we gave up and went to lunch.  I called the smaller boutiques around town to see if they could fit us in, and although they were all very polite and helpful, they did not have any open appointments on such short notice.  Finally when we thought the whole day had been a failure, we tried the David's Bridal on McCain Boulevard.  What did we have to lose?  When they heard what had happened, they scheduled us a one-on-one appointment that day.  Our experience at the location on McCain was as good as our experience on Chenal was bad.
I don't want to give anything away, but here are a couple of the dresses/styles that Katie tried on.

We learned a lot about what she actually likes.  She always thought she wanted to wear a short wedding dress, but after trying one on, she quickly changed her mind.  She hated the way the tea length dress cut her off at the shins.

Although she decided this gown was too embellished and "fancy" (for lack of a better word) for the back yard venue, she liked the style much better.   The sheath, straight line dresses was much more becoming and showed off her figure well.  

After a disappointing beginning, it turned out to be the fun and very girly day we had hoped for.

Please share any suggestions you have about gown shopping in Arkansas, and please, please share with me any advice you have about being the best MOH a girl could ask for.

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