On the Bourbon Trail- Twice Distilled, 60 Proof

This weekend BF and I went to Louisville to see Lyndsey and Zane. We packed quite a bit into the weekend. We went to the Louisville Slugger Museum, saw a comedy show, and went to see Wicked. I also got to see Lyndsey and Zane's new house, which I am completely jealous of. It even has a neat attic that looks like it can be utilized for a variety of purposes. Probably the most fun we had over the weekend was along the Bourbon Trail and at the Maker's Mark Distillery. The tour was great, everything from the talking portraits that actively wink at you to the red wax on everything to the free samples to being able to dip our own bottles. There does seem to be an art to it, as you can see. On the way home, the Bourbon Trail became some kind of version of Groundhog Day. The second time we saw the same gas station we asked directions at from the King of the Hill gang, the third time we saw the Hail Mary Bathtub Statue, and the fiftieth time we saw the same stoplight, I worried that the bourbon had effected us a little bit more than we thought. To be honest, the fact that both BF and Lyndsey insisted on singing along (and even imitating the music) in the car, which drives me a little bit insane, things might have seemed longer than they actually were. However, today I am wishing I was still on the Bourbon Trail. Last night it snowed several inches, then there was an inch of sleet, and then another 6" of snow. At first I thought working at home was a good idea but I am so bored right now I wish I had made my way into work-with the bourbon.

Its Not My First Rodeo

Yesterday was another next exciting experience. I went to the rodeo-yeehaw! When we got there, it turned out that it wasn't just another rodeo. It was part of the new season of reality TV show Toughest Cowboy, where a group of guys compete at the rodeo every week as well as various other activities in order to eventually win a ranch in Montana (or Wyoming, or some such wide open spaces state). These guys are amazing! One competed after getting a concussion last week, one had a broken collar bone, and one had his finger TORN OFF last week and was wearing a cast (pink at that!) to keep everything together. The kid who won for the week broken his ankle at the first event and still managed to pull out a victory. When we saw him at the end (and BF was awesome enough to get fourth row seats so we saw everything up close) he looked white as a sheet and had to hop forward to accept the win. Thank goodness he has immunity for next week! Maybe you can feel it as I do- I think I am being sucked into my first reality TV show. I guess it was my first rodeo after all.

The Apple Orchard

Here is my new and old apple computer. I have had buying a new Apple in my sights for quite some time now, but this week, my old computer died. After some careful contemplation and internet searching (um, I mean productively researching analytics during work hours), I decided on the new MacBook. There was a little bit of delayed gratification involved; my poor other computer was very dead and they had to take a couple of days to transfer all my old stuff onto my new computer. When they were done, I asked them what I should do with my old computer, and they told me that they weren't sure. It seems my computer is so old, it is considered vintage. Nice. It feels like I was living in the past with that computer, and in the future with my new computer. But I am living in the present too. This week was BF's birthday, and I think I did ok in the present department. We will be going to something called BockFest (which is some kind of beerfest) and the aquarium in Cincinnati during a fun weekend away in March for his birthday. Also, my Apple purchase brought a blast from the past into my present and future. With Apple purchases, you get these handy Apple bags, or as Linda and I would call them, Backpack O' Snacks, the handiest snack container for road trips in the world. I guess that means it is time for a road trip!

Frankly, My Dear...

So here is Frankie, my fish. This guy is going strong. For those who remember, I earned him with my ping pong throwing prowess at the Circleville Pumpkin Show. That means I have had him for three months now, which I feel like makes him 1000 in fish years. He seems super orange and perky. Speaking of orange, I have been enjoying my orange and blue Gators lately. I am glad we were able to pull off yet another National Championship. This week's National Championship and last week's Champs Bowl attendance make me realize just how much I miss college football. I may try to make it to a game next year. Heading into the New Year, I decided not to make any New Year's resolutions. Well, that is, given the fact that I was already forced to fulfill the one resolution that I had in mind. I thought I was going resolve to stop using my student id for anything. The world ended up making my decision for me- two weeks ago, as I took my id out to get on the bus, and my picture literally rubbed off. There is now no picture at all on my student id. I figure this means one of two things: the world is either telling me to finally grow up, or that I never should have been a 'professional' student at all. Or maybe both. So I thought I was free. That is, until I went into work this week and learned I have to take a class at OSU for work this quarter. So much for New Year's resolutions.