I attended the wedding of an old friend this weekend. Specifically, my first real boyfriend (i.e. we actually went out on dates), Luke. We dated for a few months in high school (circa 1996) and discovered that we made better friends instead of the dating pressure. We sang together at church & school and even danced together on the Broughton stage in show choir (ahhh, the memories).
Luke married his college friend "Rockie" on Saturday, September 23rd at Providence Baptist. The ceremony was especially special because Luke's father conducted the nuptials.
Their first dance
Cake cutting
Miles, Audrey & Brian saying hello to Luke
Ok, and for good old times sake - here's us back in high school (pictures I had to scan, so they ain't so pretty)
Ok, this is starting to get personal - tolls for ALL sections of I-540. Umm, how is this legal? The road has been PAID FOR and built as a state funded highway, how can it be possible to assess tolls on a PAID road?! (oh, yeah that's right, our governor who hasn't done a lot in his 2 terms, signed a bill last month to allow it) Next they're going to charge retroactive tolls for all that live along the I-540 corridor who've been using it. I can see it now... a bill comes to our mailbox for a retroactive toll of $5,000 for using 540, 5 days a week for 2 years.
"A Wake County mayor says tolls on Interstate 540 are just plain necessary, and everyone ought to bear the burden of getting the road finished and paid off."
Umm, how about not? We've born the burden with our tax dollars to build 540 thus far. TAX DOLLARS. Money we did not CHOOSE to pay for the roadway, but were REQUIRED.
"We in the south from our taxes have paid for the north part of the loop," said Sears. "Let's ask them to help pay for our part of the loop in the south by tolling the existing roads." (Holly Springs Mayor Dick Sears)
Umm, correct me if I'm wrong, but we've all paid the taxes for the road and are all still paying the taxes to fund the completion of the road. And how about at least 2/3 of your population have JUST moved there in the past 1-2 years from the northeast?! Hmm? How about that? They sure the heck haven't paid out taxes for the entire project!
"That way, Sears said, construction could start sooner and the roads would be paid off faster. However, mayors in the north, like Wake Forest's Vivian Jones, said it's a new idea that complicates an already complicated issue. "I'm not immediately opposed to it, but I really don't embrace it either," said Jones. "I'm certainly willing to talk about it. This is a regional problem and we need to work on it in a regional way."
I'm trying to gather my thoughts to write to Mayor Jones this afternoon. Right now I'm just a bit too flustered and *SO GLAD* that we did not move to Holly Springs. We choose our northern county location because of I-540 and the fact that we could use it any time we needed.
Chikfila Ladies and gentlemen...the most obvious business opportunity in the history of Raleigh, North Carolina is finally coming to fruition. We just got word that a free-standing Chick-Fil-A will replace the old dry cleaners building behind the McDonald's in Cameron Village. The City of Raleigh better put all downtown and North Hills plans on hold because they will promptly need to widen Oberlin Road, Cameron Street, and Peace Street to handle the massive loads of traffic to be generated by this "cash cow".
OH. MY. GOODNESS. This is *right* across the street from my office. I am in SUCH BIG, MONSTEROUS trouble having a CFA so close. Previously, the closest was in Cary or out at North Hills. CAN'T wait! (also I was just thinking as I sat at McD's this afternoon how ugly that part of Cameron Village is - the rest has all been nicely updated and sadly right next to McD's (the old Balentine's Cafeteria/tempoary library location) looks ignored.)
Sushi. I love it. I don’t eat it very often and I’ve found myself craving it lately. We never had a chance to sample real authentic Japanese sushi while in Hawaii (yes, I know that I seriously missed out, but we were out eating other things like....Mexican, hee).
For the second meal this week I have found myself in a local supermarket purchasing sushi. [gasp?]
For dinner last night I decided to check out Lowe’s Foods to see if anything there struck my fancy. [ding, ding] Spicy tuna rolls came home with me. And today, just moments ago, I went to Harris Teeter with the intention of getting a salad or making one from the bar, however, the FRESH SUSHI bar caught my attention.
I thought to myself, “well, now is the perfect opportunity to compare the 2 grocery store sushi rolls!”
So, I bought their spicy rolls (tuna & salmon). How could I not?! Unfortunately, Harris Teeter capitalizes on their lunch crowd and prices their nice little bottled sodas and drinks at more than $1.39 EACH! Hello?! I can get that in my building for less than a $1. Then another idea struck me! [Lightning bolt across the head at the self check-out counter] McDonald’s was right across the street and they sell a large iced tea for just $1 AND they have nice outside seating (and I can get FREE refills to relieve the burn of the *fake* wasabi).
It was a nice lunch. I had a nice shady spot right by the drive-thru line surrounded by pigeons. I swear there was a ‘godpigeon’ among them (see “Animaniacs” if you don't know what I'm talking about) and they entertained me for a bit. The weather is absolutely beautiful today – around 65 degrees, sunny with a nice light breeze (enough to blow the paper napkin off your lap). I’m ready for fall, it’s my favorite season (especially with all the new show primiers returning – including Grey’s Anatomy tonight! you can check out their blog “Grey Matter” here)
I am talking about Steve Irwin, the "Crocodile Hunter" - the zanny, enthusiastic Australian who I thoroughly respected and loved watching. Last night his memorial service was shown on Animal Planet and I admit to crying my way through it. The entire thing was done in a uplifting manner, but every time the camera panned over to the 'box' where his closest friends and family were sitting I couldn't contain the sadness. I was amazed to see his best mate Wes, his father Bob and even his daughter Bindi stand before the crowd, they have more strength that I could ever muster.
The Australian poet, Rupert McCall recited a poem entitled "The Crocodiles are Crying" and I felt it was worth sharing:
"Endless visions fill my head - this man - as large as life And instantly my heart mourns for his angels and his wife Because the way I see Steve Irwin - just put everything aside It comes back to his family - it comes back to his pride
His animals inclusive - Crikey - light the place with love! Shine his star with everything he fought to rise above The crazy-man of Khaki from the day he left the pouch Living out his dream and in that classic 'Stevo' crouch
Exploding forth with character and redefining cheek It's one thing to be honoured as a champion unique It's one thing to have microphones and spotlight cameras shoved It's another to be taken in and genuinely loved
But that was where he had it right - I guess he always knew From his fathers' modest reptile park and then Australia Zoo We cringed at times and shook our heads - but true to natures call There was something very Irwin in the make up of us all
Yes the more I care to think of it - the more he had it right If you're going to make a difference - make it big and make it bright! Yes - he was a lunatic! Yes - he went head first! But he made the world feel happy with his energetic burst
A world so large and loyal that it's hard to comprehend I doubt we truly count the warmth until life meets an end To count it now I say a prayer with words of inspiration May the spotlight shine forever on his dream for conservation
My daughter broke the news to me - my six year old in tears It was like she'd just turned old enough to show her honest fears I tried to make some sense of it but whilst her Dad was trying His little girl explained it best...she said "The crocodiles are crying"
Their best mate's up in heaven now - the crocs up there are smiling! And as sure as flowers, poems and cards and memories are piling As sure as we'll continue with the trademarks of his spiel Of all the tributes worthy - he was rough but he was real
As sure as 'Crikey!' fills the sky I think we'll miss ya Steve... goodbye"
You can hear him read it on Wildlife Warriors (an organization set up by Steve & Terri in 2002 and now operates independently "as a way to include and involve other caring people to support the protection of injured, threatened or endangered wildlife from the individual animal to an entire species.")
And finally, here is a clip that Animal Planet has been playing (posted on YouTube).
Ok, ok, here's one - self portrait on the lanai (balcony) of our hotel room (on the TOP floor [31st] of the Rainbow Tower). Ala Wai Yacht Harbor in the background, bottom left.
It is so hard to come home after vacation, especially when you've been in paradise for a week... but we have returned to reality where they don't serve Kona coffee every morning and the weather is a perfect sunny, breezy, 87 degrees.... instead I'm stuck with my plain old cup o'Folgers and a damp 64 degree overcast day.
We took lots of pictures (including some awesome pictures from our sea kayaking/snorkling trip) and I am still trying to figure out the best way to post and inform you of every striking detail in my skillfully taken photos.
