Flat Stanley visits Louisville, KY!

For those of you who aren't aware of who Flat Stanley is, you might recognize him in the photos below.  The Flat Stanley Project was started in 1995 by Dale Hubert, a third grade schoolteacher in London, Ontario, Canada. Students begin by reading the book, Flat Stanley, and becoming acquainted with the story. Then they make paper "Flat Stanleys" and are mailed to other people who are asked to treat the figure as a visiting guest and document his experiences.  Stanley and the journal are then returned to the student, who takes the project back to school to share with their class. 

 I was surprised several weeks ago when Flat Stanley arrived from Branson, MO.  Josh's son, Jaden is in kindergarten and they were doing the project.  Jaden thought it would be cool for Stanley to visit Louisville.  I created a fun photo album of my experiences with Stanley.  I, of course, went a little over board in carrying "the piece of paper" with me everywhere I went.  I defintely received a few looks but enjoyed sharing the project with several others.  I had blast and was thrilled to be a part of the project.


Sara and I at the start of the Anthem 5K

**February 28, 2011**

Sara is trying to focus on being healthy. She tries to eat well and exercise daily. Part of her exercise plans have been to walk in organized races. She took me on her first race of the year.

We started the race at ‘Louisville Slugger Field’. The Louisville BATS play at this baseball stadium. They are the field team for the Cincinnati Reds.

We walked through downtown Louisville and completed the ‘Anthem 5K’. A 5K is 3.1 Miles!

Sara and I at end of 3.2 Miles!



Sara plays bingo with her friends on Saturday nights.  I’ve never played bingo before.  While Sara didn’t win, it was still entertaining and fun!!

Watching them add the base of the glass

**March 5, 2011**


One of Louisville’s hot tourist spots is Glassworks. You can blow your own glass objects like pumpkins, wine glasses, vases and much more. Sara went to make a wine glass and took me along. It was so interesting to see them form a glass from a blob of glass.

Sara took me by the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory.  Slugger has been created the popular brand since 1884.  Babe Ruth used a Louisville Slugger to hit his last home run as a NY Yankee.  The “largest bat in the world” stands outside of the museum and factory.  It weighs 68,000lbs and is six stories tall.  I felt small beside it!

Mile 6!  Only .2 to go

**March 12, 2011**

Sara and I walked another race today! The Rodes City Run is a 10K. It was much longer than the first one but we still had a great time! We completed 6.2Miles!!

They just built a brand new basketball arena in downtown Louisville last year.  Since it opened in November they’ve had many large concerts come to town and a successful season for the Louisville Cardinals.  Sara took me to my first concert, Lady Gaga!!  We had a great time and enjoy the show.

**March 21, 2011**

Sara took me to one of the historical places in Louisvlle, let alone Kentucky!  Churchill Downs is home to Thourghbred racing and the Kentucky Derby.  The twin spires in the background here are iconic to the racing community. 

<>

Entrance to Churchill Downs





Louisville Triple Crown of Running- COMPLETE!

One goal for 2011 has been marked off the list--

**February 26, 2011- Anthem 5K

This was just a brisk Saturday morning walk but was a good time.  They had to change a bit of the course for flooding but the weather was perfect, about 35 degrees when we started and didn't rain a drop.

Finished in 50:41  8,156 place out of 8,723

Finish line of 5K

**March 12, 2011  Rodes City Run 10K
I actually did this race last year and LOVED the course.  This year was just as great.  The weather was a bit warmer by the time we finished but was still a chilly start being as we started downtown. 
Finished in 1:44:31  7,616 place out of  7,958

Finish line right around the corner!

 **March 26, 2011 Papa John's 10Miler

We were really worried how the weather was going to turn out for this one.  There was a threat of rain and I knew 10Miles with wet shoes would be miserable.  Fortunately all the prayers were answered and the weather was perfect!  We conquered those hill of Iroqouis Park and were met at the 8Mile marker by runner extrodinaire, Matt Fillipps.  He brought us Panera bagels and encouraged us the rest of the way.  He actually compelted the race and came back to the course to walk the rest of the way with us!  

Finished in 2:54:02 6,823 place out of 6,925

Finish line with my race partner, Erin

Finish line with Matt

Now we're gearing up for the Mini Marathon on April 30th!!  So exciting to have my Mom joining us for that one. 13.1 Miles here we come!

First leg of Triple Crown of Running COMPLETE!

So 1/3 of my goal of completing the Triple Crown of Running is complete!  My friend Erin and I set out at 7:30AM Saturday Feb 28th for a brisk walk at the Anthem 5K.  LOL  As I've said before we had no intentions of coming in first.  The course ended up having to be re-routed due to some flooding on a few of the low lying streets.  It was still a great route and was a well put together race.  We ended up finishing in 50:41 and in 8155 place.  There were still about 2,000 people behind me =)  Can't wait until next weekend for the Rodes City Run 10K!

Run, Forest, Run!

So it's a new year, the snow is finally melted and cold tempratures are beginning to depart.  That means...race time!  However, I've been making these plans since I finished the Monumental Half-Marathon back in November.  In 2010 I completed an event that included 60Miles (roughly 45 for me) in 3 days, a 10K race, and a half-marathon through downtown Indianapolis (Monumental Half).  So I got to thinking--how do I top THAT in 2011?  Well, here it is--
Feb 26th- Anthem 5K- Louisville, KY (3.2miles)
March 12th- Rodes City Run 10K- Louisville, KY (6.2miles)
March 26th- Papa John's 10 Miler- Louisville, KY
April 30th- Derby Festival Mini-Marathon- Louisville KY (13.2miles)
October 20th-23rd- will be CREWING the Komen-3Day Atlanta
November 5th- Monumental Half- Marathon

I've been getting all my new gear together to prepare for the cold runs and even picked up a cool little gadget- a training watch.  Don't get me wrong...I still hate to run.  LOL  so I'll once again just be doing these to do them..not focusing on setting a record pace or anything like that. 

I'm so excited for these events to start and I'm not even going to think about what I'm going to do in '12 to make it even better. =)

2010 Fair Season ends!

So I didn't realize how long it had been since I blogged!  As most of you know I'm home safe and sound, well rested (or as much as I can be) and now BORED!  We'll get to that later.....

After my short trip to the Utah State Fair.  I made my way down to what I like to refer to as the "Country of Texas".  If you've ever been to Texas or have spent a lot of time around folks from there, you understand what I mean.  People that were raised here or have been transplants for a while are definitely a different breed.  But I do love that Texan hospitality.

I started the fourth and final leg of my 2010 tour with a show w/ The Zac Brown Band and a local promoter.  While it was a show with many hiccups and bumps along the way we made it to show time and the show actually went on.  I was constantly on the phone with the band's agency still trying to sort out issues with the contract up until an hour before the show.  The biggest shocker was when the show was threatened because we were short $1million in insurance...let me tell you..it's not fun being on the phone thinking the show will be cancelled and trying to pull $1million worth of coverage out of your you know what.  Many prayers were answered and I didn't kill anyone (which I guess was one of the prayers) and the show went well.  In this business and especially in todays' world, it's a success when you break even.  So we love it when our clients make money!  Zac's show is great!  Out of three acts I was so busy running around trying to wrap up my end of it...I got to see 15seconds of the opening act...but it sure sounded good. =)

After this show I was looking forward to a few days of R&R.  Of course after holing myself up in the hotel for two days with my Nook, tv and room service, I was glad when the co-workers got into town so I had people to hang out with.  From that point on it was busy time again.  I got to take my time getting settled in for the next fair, South Plains Fair, which started a week after the Zac Brown show.  I even took a day to go to the spa for a much needed pedicure and facial.  (Thanks groupon!)

On Friday September 24th we kicked off the fair with the Eli Young Band.  These guys are awesome.  This was the third time I was working with them this year.  They are great guys, band, crew all of them.  It couldn't have been a better show to start with...laid back, easy, packed show.  They had the second highest attendance for the run of the fair!  We even got to hang out on the bus after the show and listen to their upcoming album.  It's going to be a good one!

We followed that night with Black Stone Cherry (a young rock act), and then a night off.  Since we had the night off several of my staff and I had a wonderful day exploring Lubbock wineries.  We even found ourselves lost in the sticks of Texas (I was singing the theme song of Deliverance in the back seat) but it's funny what good grapes you can grow out there.  I somehow made it back with two bottles of great wine, unbroken at that. =)

Monday was a great show with Jake Owen.  This guy has an awesome show!  You'll have to Youtube him to find out what he sings.  Unfortunately, he's falling in with all those male country stars that you know their songs but can't pair it with the actually singers name.  But this guy has the stage presence and is awesome with fans off stage.  He would have sat there and talked to me all day had I let him.  But with as cute as he was I wouldn't have minded.  Plus he has a REALLY cute dog, Vern, an American Bulldog.  He bands has some killer skills too...we'll be watching him climbing the ladder over the next few years. 

Following a great four days we had a Tejano show with 'La Mafia', a HUGE show with Los Lonely Boys on Thursday.  These guys rock!  They were having some issues with their bus and trailer which made it a little difficult but all in all the show was good and crew was good to work with.  Their show was being sponsored by State Farm (didn't help that I already despised the company before this date).  Of course their employees came in a tried taking over the place.  We spent the entire night just trying to keep them out of the aisle and from running behind the stage.  When one of them asked 'who are you?' I don't think she liked it when I replied 'I'm in charge of this building and concert, MAMM'.  The crowd was huge and our biggest turnout for the fair.  Thursday we had Blue Oyster Cult, Friday, EnVogue (love these guys and gals!), and wrapped it up Saturday with The Grass Roots.  They were a fun bunch of guys, so polite and cracking up. 

I, thankfully, had a later flight (11AM) on Sunday and had already packed Saturday morning (thinking the flight was at 9AM).  I got to go over to the fairgrounds and turn in the last of my keys and such and say my goodbyes to the staff and co-workers that were there that early.  Someone was watching over us because we had perfect weather for the run of the fair.  That Sunday morning it was a miserable 50degrees and rainy. 

Oh I forgot to mention I caught the Texas Crud again this year while I was there.  About two days into the fair I started getting really congested and had almost allergy like symptoms.  It didn't take long to turn into a chest cold and just make me plain miserable.  I think I've narrowed it down to 1) I'm allergic to cotton and when I'm there is right after harvest season 2) I was so worn down that with the allergies I just got sick.  Either way I survived.  My friends Diane and Liz helped me though!  Diane is a massage therapist (she worked out my sciatic nerve last year from bending over for 3hours straight tying the chair together with zip ties).  This year she had a ionic rod that she puts in water.  It basically pulls the positive ions out, putting your ions back in sync.  Don't ask me how it works...but it does!  I could actually feel it working.  I wish I had done it right when I started feeling sick, but it definitely helped me from getting to the point I was at last year (pretty much the flu).  It was amazing to see what the water turned into!

My flight was quick a painless...well I shouldn't say that...because of my cold I couldn't get my ears to pop.  It didn't help that I was the yucky person have to blow my nose on a plane but then it felt like my head was going to explode!  Six hours later (or really 2 months later) I was at home and enjoyed a quiet evening (after I fixed the thermostat, unpacked my luggage, and aired up the flat tire on my car) on the couch and watching the DVR'd show from the three weeks before. 

I'm now getting back into the swing of things.  It was boring being at the office.  The change of pace is always hard to adjust to.  But now we're starting all over again.  I just got assigned a show in November at the Iowa Fairgrounds (we'll be flying back the next morning to make it to the best friend's wedding open house), a week off then Thanksgiving, Conference in Vegas, Conference in Iowa the following weekend and couple of weeks off then Christmas...and then we're back putting in offers, getting contracts, and doing it all over again. =)  I'm looking forward to the 2011 season/year and the great shows and travels that come with them. 

Thanks for everyone that followed me around the country this year!  It was definitely a long trip but I enjoyed every minute of it. 

Utah State Fair- "Uncommonly Good"

I'm wrapping up my stay in Salt Lake at the Utah State Fair tonight.  Since tomorrow is a travel day to the next location I figured I'd go ahead blog so I don't get far behind.

I'm writing this with 'America' playing in the background to about 4,000 people.  A great crowd!  While they do sound just like a recording....I haven't recognized one song! =)  It's nights like these where I show my age or lack there of. 

However, last Friday was a different story with Boyz II Men.  I love those guys!  Considering I grew up listening to their music and last summer I had the pleasure of working with them several times, it's always a fun show.  They packed the house for the second time.  We had them here last year and because of how quick the tickets went and the number of people that showed up, I suggested they bring them back again.  And they did it again!  Maybe I'll just go on tour with them. =)

We had Mitchel Musso on Saturday and Ray Price on Sunday.  Mitchel packed in the screaming little girls and their parents.  It's always fun when you have to wear your earplugs not because of the show...but the audience.  Unfortunately, this group hasn't figured out that you can't try and be louder than the audience.  They were so loud!  We finally had to just turn the main pa volume down because they didn't quite know what they were doing.  Ray Price was a nice quite and relaxing environment.  I definitely didn't recognize any of his music but everyone was a pleasure to work with. 

I got to work with my buddies, Eli Young Band again.  This makes the third show that I've worked with them this year.  I also booked them at Iowa but didn't work on that show.  They are just a great band to work with.  One issue was screwed up with the promotions of the show and the crowd was extremely small.  However, they just pushed through and played just as if there were thousands.  I'm definitely looking forward to working with them at the next stop. 

Salt Lake is such a beautiful city.  If there's no other reason to come, I would come here for the scenery.  For some reason this city girl from the flat lands of corn loves the change to the rolling mountains.  However, I could do without the dryness!  My allergies have gone haywire. 
I've really been more conscious of my eating habits here. I've steered away from the McDonald's that's right outside my door.  Thankfully there's a Wendy's right behind me. =)  I'm started to feel better from just not eating so much junk as I did in NY.  Since I have so much downtime I finally was able to do my hotel room workout and use Bender Ball (excellent option for abs while traveling!).  I had planned to go to the indoor pool yesterday on my day off.  I was going to revert back to my college days of water aerobics.  LOL  However, as I was going to the pool I noticed the signs also pointing to a fitness center.  How I missed this for two years I have no clue!!  Needless to say it was like a mirage and I got a workout in instead of the pool.   Then I actually got up and went again this morning.  I'll get there....eventually. 

Tomorrow I have a long/great day of flying.  I'm flying Southwest (my fav airline!).  I had totally spaced checking in this morning.  As most of you know with this airline you have to check in and they issue you a boarding letter and number.  A-C  A1 is the best C means you load last.  As long as you check in right when you can (24 hours prior to flight) you're good with an A.  I finally realized it about 12 hours after I could check in...NOT GOOD!  But after checking in a getting in A20/22  I realized I had paid extra to get early bird check-in.  They had already checked me in...whew!  I wish I'd had remembered that!

I'll finally will get back to the central time zone (I've gone from eastern, to central, back to eastern, to mountain, will go to central and finally back to eastern) tomorrow!  That will definitely make the phones calls to the boy easier. =)  I'll be a lot less confused on whether I'm calling someone when they're home from work or even going to bed.  I don't see how people live in time zones this separated and function with the rest of us. 

Only 18 days til the tour is over and I'm home....for a little while anyway. =)

The Great New York State Fair!

Another one bites the dust...or another drop in bucket....whatever saying you want to put with it I'm now half way through my 'Mud and Dust Tour' of 2010!!  After the past one I think I can do anything.  For those of you that followed me around the country last year you know that I was at the New York State Fair.  Fortunately, my co-worker, Clay, was also there and was "shadowing" we'll say at the grandstand.  When they had dark days there we swapped up and he would produce the show at Chevy Court (the stage I was at).  Since we were granted the bid this year to produce the grandstand this wasn't possible.  So that meant 12 days straight of two shows daily for me at Chevy Court. 

Two days after finishing at Iowa I flew to NY and celebrated my birthday the next day while "moving in" to the fair.  We kicked off the run on the 26th.  We worked with acts like EnVogue, Kool & The Gang, Blue Oyster Cult, Kansas, Styx, Lady Antebellum Keith Sweat, Little Big Town and many MANY more!  Working 14-17 hour days can be exhausting...working 12 of those in a row...well let's just say it sucks.  :)  I finally hit rock bottom about the 31st.  Somehow the fuel of the following day, with Lady Antebellum, pushed me through and continued until the end. 

Things ran as smoothly as they could, considering we were loading in and off two different bands onto a less than large enough stage.  Huge crowds poured in for both 2:00PM and 8:00PM shows.  Across the way, Clay was having a few more hiccups than we could hope for.  Justin Bieber had decided to postpone his show from Sunday to Wednesday.  Any other night it wouldn't have been as caotic but this was the same night Lady A was scheduled to play Chevy Court.  One of the hottest acts today was playing on a free stage!  We knew the numbers were going to be huge and now we had to figure out how to spread the resources of security, catering, vehicles, etc. between the two largest shows of the fair.  And it couldn't have gone smoother!!  Clay ended up with a little over 17,000 in the grandstand and the show with Lady A was estimated at 29,800!!!  I have never seen so many people squeezed into that small of an area. 
Here's the link to the time lapse video they did.  This started at about 7:30AM, about when people started getting there to save seats.  http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1274200755640 

Lady Antebellum

I was basically on autopilot through the rest of the fair.  Great shows...even got to dance a little during Keith Sweat.  I got out to see some of the fair as well.  Played the lottery, gave blood for the first time, went Christmas shopping :).  They have a ton of animal exhibits there.  The closest I got to see them though were the tigers and elephants right outside the grandstand.  Spent a little time hanging out with Troy Gentry (Montgomery Gentry) and Justin Moore and crew one night....talking about home (Kentucky).  

We did create a new fried item!  Someone mentioned there was fried chocolate chip cookie dough.  To our disappointment and treking across the grounds only to find fried chocolate chip cookies, we decided to have our own made.  One of the security guards took a roll to the fried vendor and they cooked it up for us.  It was heaven!  Turns out it will be at the fair next year. :)  I can't wait!!

After wrapping up the 12 days, I spent the next day returning keys, doing laundry, running around town to Walmart and UPS and packing for the next trip.  I got to hang out w/ friends and had a wonderful sushi dinner (sushi on a conveyor belt...what a concept!) wine, and more wine.  Great times to wrap up a successful fair. 

One hilarious tibit that I picked up---those of us that aren't from or have spent a lot of time in NY think of the entire state to be just like the city.  Fast paced, heavily populated, rude people (for those that haven't been there and seen that it's not).  The funny thing is that outside of the city it's just like anywhere else.  Syracuse for example is very small town, country, "hick" like environments.  The greatest part is when they refer to the city they call it "New York".  Even when I was flying from Syracuse to New York City, the flight read "New York".  That's like everyone outside of Louisville, KY calling Louisville; Kentucky. :)

Here's the crowd comparison for the past two years.  A 15% increase!
                             2009         2010


2 PM shows total 48,500      50,500

8 PM shows total 105,500   127,300

Total attendance 154,000    177,800

A break down of each individual show

2:00PM


En Vogue 2,500

Blue Oyster Cult 7,000

Adam Richman 9,000

Trailer Choir 2,000

Steve Lippia w/ CNYJO 4,000

Herman's Hermits 5,000 HOT

Mario Batali 2,500 HOT

Eli Young Band 2,000

Justin Moore 3,500

Mitchel Musso 4,500

Katharine McPhee 4,000

Jackyl 4,500

50,500

8:00PM

Kool & The Gang 6,000

Kansas 16,000

Styx 18,500

Blues Traveler 7,500

30 Seconds to Mars 7,500

1964 The Tribute 8,500

Lady Antebellum 29,800 RECORD

Little Big Town 7,000

Coheed and Cambria 8,000 drizzle rain right after show

Robert Randolph 5,000

Keith Sweat 12,000

Marc Broussard 1,500

127,300



Total Chevy Court 177,800


Next I was off to the beautiful city of Salt Lake.  Last year I was able to leave NY a few days early and have a few days at home.  This year I was there longer and decided to split the two days off between NY and UT.  What I didn't comprehend when booking my flights was that that would mean a 5 hour flight from NYC to Salt Lake City.  That was just a small form of tourture.  I arrived safely though and have the beautiful views of the mountains.  We kick off the Utah State Fair shows tomorrow with Boyz II Men.  Looking forward to another great run!