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The Naked Pages
Posted by Julie Schoerke (04.30.07, 10:19 PM) Did anyone else notice what looked like a cardinal mistake in NFocus this month? Those blank pages just jumped out at me. Pages 46 and 47, 94 and 95, then finally 110 and 111. My heart skipped a beat; sure that someone was having a bad day in the office on 8th Ave., South. This ad campaign is quite clever in prodding me to search for its message. Check it out.
That time again...
Posted by Julie Eskind (04.29.07, 04:43 PM) As the end of April rolls around, I find myself rolling uncontrollably into insanity. Although I try to anticipate the madness of this time of the year, I still get caught up in this vortex of schedule overload. With the weather turning warm and sunny, the social calendar starts to fill up more than usual with the addition of outdoor concerts and celebrations. We shift out of our jeans and boots, and into shorts, sundresses and sandals. Now don’t get me wrong, I am certainly a flip-flop kind of girl. But the standard summer uniform also calls for the legs to be shaved and the toes to be painted. Wish I were blonde.
Thanks, Henryetta
Posted by Beth Alexander (04.27.07, 11:05 AM) There are lots of changes in the Nfocus family between issues—faces get tighter, babies are born and, sometimes, friends are lost. We occasionally face the question whether to run a person’s picture in a happier moment, or do we, out of respect for the loss, hold the picture? Last month, we ran with the happy moments, our stock in trade. One face we’ll be seeing less of is that of our sports columnist, who took off for Los Angeles in early April. And who is also my oldest son. He left in high spirits on a Wednesday, both his 4Runner and a U-Haul trailer laden with things collected during four years of grad school in Nashville. He had stacked freshly laundered clothes in the back seat, hung up suits on the window hanger behind the driver’s seat and tucked his computer in the “way back.” Ready to embrace a new life in the city where he went to undergraduate school.
What do you call a liberated first spouse?
Posted by Gloria Houghland (04.26.07, 1:36 PM) How do you address Andrea Conte when she is with the Governor? Recently, at the Tennessee Waltz I mumbled my way through"Hello Governor and Ms.-Andrea-Conte...! " I've had this problem before and would really like to know what to say! Clint Black called them Mr. and Mrs. Bredesen and I know that's not right. Beth Alexander calls her Andrea, but I don't really know her that well. Ms. Conte seems so, well, Gloria Steinem. Anyone out there know?
When in doubt, fly through Singapore
Posted by Amy Lee Bell (04.25.07, 03:23 PM) In March, I attended an amazing academic/interdisciplinary conference in Salzburg, Austria. The conference participants hailed from all over the globe; from places as varied as Toronto, Turkey, Thessaloniki and Tokyo. Naturally, the main icebreaker during the first day or so was, “Where are you from?” If the delegate hailed from the US, the next question was usually “And how long did it take you to get here?” Every single American who attended the conference experienced substantial flight delays. In some cases, the weather was to blame—except that the delegates from Canada flew through serious storms and arrived in snowy Salzburg while many of us were grounded in US. I can’t decide whether it’s uncanny or tragic that not one of my American colleagues boarded their planes or took off on time.
Waxing poetic—not bikini waxing
Posted by Mary Proctor (04.25.07, 2:54 PM) After "reading" this morning's newspaper—the inmate hanging himself, the fine-looking 23-year-old soldier's obituary and other happy news—I let myself go to the dark side. Since I walk each day before my two hours of Matlock, I started out this morning very slowly and very unhappily. On the last leg of my walk, I got a new perspective on life. I almost tripped on a bird. The bird in question was on the ground and flew up to a nearby branch. In true amazement, I thought it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen—a bluebird. Okay, they are all over the golf course, but I had never seen such an unbelievable blue—and I paint colors every day. This was really a color that is only in nature—it was my bluebird of happiness. I don't get sappy, but after all of the bad news, I did get momentarily uplifted before I settled back down to Matlock.
Fun vs. Funds
Posted by Mandi Coleman (04.25.07, 12:44 PM) Today I spoke with someone regarding careers. This person is passionate about food; adores to cook. He does this every chance that he gets, will only use fresh ingredients, and hates the microwave with a passion. Coincidentally, he is about to pursue a degree in higher education. What is his major going to be? Business. Today I feel that people do not take the road less traveled when it comes to pursuing a career they feel strongly about. The bottom line is the bottom dollar. In this instance you could say that all the world is a cubicle, and all the people in it merely money-grubbing robots. Even though, when it comes down to it, many times this girl just wants to have funds. But where is the balance between being happy with your job, and being content with the paycheck you receive?
Anne and Mary's Big Adventure
Posted by Anne Clayton (04.24.07, 06:07 PM) Cocktail conversation has gotten me into my share of trouble over the years but it never has landed me in a doctor’s office, until now. Two weeks ago, I had a few friends over for Sunday dinner and the conversation went to doctors, annual checkups and such. I had just had my annual physical, and my doctor had advised me that it was high time I had a colonoscopy. I mentioned this and my friend Mary Wieck said her doctor had advised the same thing. Well, after a few glasses of wine, we decided that we would make our appointments together and make it a girls' day out adventure! Sounded great at the time, but the next morning when Mary called to check my schedule so she could make the appointments, I was more than a bit apprehensive.
Va. Tech, another perspective
Posted by John Denson (04.23.07, 04:41 PM) A friend of mine recently pointed out that over six times the number of deaths occurred in Iraq the same day 32 people were killed at Virginia Tech. Here's what bothers me: this doesn't seem to bother anybody.
Hot Air at the Pool
Posted by Mandi Coleman (04.23.07, 3:30 PM) This weekend was my first to enjoy my new community pool. It was lovely...until two men decided to sunbathe next to me in an otherwise deserted area. I had no reason to make conversation with these people as I had my book and US Weekly in hand. (Hey, a girl has to get her gossip somewhere.) The dilemma came when they began speaking unnecessarily loud. They spoke of their newly purchased vehicles; one buying a "Beamer" convertible, the other discussing the merits of his "Benz." I gathered much too much information on one's home in Martha's Vinyard, and listened to the other drone on and on about the commission he would get off his new project downtown. I was the fortunate one. Is there a reason Tweedle Dee and Dum felt the need to let me hear their Boasting Battle? It was obvious the two were accustomed to winning the attention of the opposite gender by status, not looks. I didn't award them any such pleasure. After listening to the expense of a one-acre tract of land in Franklin, I picked up my belongings and left.
Art R Us
Posted by Mary Proctor (04.22.07, 4:35 PM) After a recent trip to the Frist, my beloved came up with one of his brilliant ideas. He does this quite often to remind me that I only have an Alabama education and that he has a Vanderbilt education. But instead of yelling—a thing my neighbors are tired of explaining to their children—I accepted his observation. Why doesn't the Frist Center buy the painting that Fisk needs to sell? Isn't that brilliant? I think it is and I wish that someone in power or someone WITH power would follow through with this plan. Since I have refrained from watching the news since 9/11, this may have already been considered, but I hate to see Nashville lose these paintings that have been such an integral part of the Nashville art scene. Someone do something!
Sea monster washes up
Posted by Beth Alexander (04.22.07, 2:04 PM) Did you read about the colossal squid that washed up in New Zealand last week? Weighing almost a thousand pounds, it is the largest single invertebrate animal to come out of the ocean, almost twice as big as the largest previously caught squid. It has a tongue covered with sharp teeth, and its eight arms and two feeding tentacles are covered with suckers and sharp hooks. It was accidentally caught by deep-sea longlines, baited fishing lines that are dropped more than a mile down in an effort to harvest Chilean sea bass. Check out the pics and this fascinating article about the squid and the effects of ocean fishing.
On a lighter note: Savarino's
Posted by Beth Alexander (04.21.07, 03:30 PM) Dr. Dave and I just had a roving lunch at a couple of places fairly new to us. We had shrimp gumbo at Nooley's in the Farmer's Market, which was a terrific starter. But Dr. D also was in search of a great sandwich and was hoping for an oyster po' boy, which was not in season.
A Tragedy puts Everything in Perspective
Posted by Mandi Coleman (04.17.07, 8:50 AM) Not having cable cannot even begin to compare to the loss of lives in Virginia yesterday. This morning I reflected on this after reading more coverage of the massacre at Virginia Tech. I admit to having a selfish streak a mile wide, even though I'm not proud of this fact about myself. But seeing as I am still able to call my friends and family up for a quick chat on the phone is a blessing in and of itself. Why does it always take death and destruction to make us realize the value and preciousness that is our own, flawed lives?
A World Without Cable
Posted by Mandi Coleman (04.16.07, 8:17 PM) I recently moved, taking everything with me including my television. But I have yet to be able to get the cable turned on because apparently I am not home enough. Comcast refuses to connect anything without my being at the house, and they make house calls at odd hours...of course. What's a girl to do without Grey's Anatomy and American Idol? I've gone shopping until stores kicked me out, slamming the iron gates in my face. I have worked out twice in one day. I am now finishing a book that I started this weekend at the beach. All this and surprisingly, I've liked the quiet time. You can get so much accomplished without the constant drone of the television. Don't get me wrong, I will have the cable turned back on as soon as the Comcast man and I can agree on a mutual time. But for the time being, the book is entertaining and my abs are thanking me for the extra attention.
Uncle Rimus
Posted by John Denson (04.15.07, 07:27 PM) If one read or watched too much news over the last several days - and one did - then it'll come as no surprise that I had to ask why Don Imus was suspended after calling Pacman Jones a nappy-headed boy. Did Stevie Wonder not do this once? Or was he singing when he said it? And doesn't Pacman wear cornrows? And in the 21st century, are cornrows considered "nappy?" And would it have been okay to call Anna Nicole Smith a ho? Do not the Green Giant and Santa Claus say this all the time to women? This gets confusing, and it is complex.
Oyster Easter rocks (and a plug for Steeplechasers)
Posted by Grace Clayton (04.12.07, 09:59 AM) Spring in Nashville is awesome! I must say, Nashville sure does know how to celebrate the arrival of warm weather. Oyster Easter last weekend (though it felt more like Oyster Winter) was the perfect way to have an excuse to drink during the day (after all, it's for the kids, right?) and to jump-start the spring party season. Even though the weather was cold, everyone had a blast. What other party is there where a landlocked city shucks oysters like they're a coastal town? Or where adults compete like politicians to be crowned Oyster Easter King and Queen? (and one of them wears a t-shirt that says "Shuck 'em and suck 'em"? Your guess which candidate.) And the Irish Cream and Coffee idea to warm everyone up...Brilliant! Needless to say, it was a great party.
Revenge...sweet and loud
Posted by Anne Clayton (04.12.07, 09:47 AM) I recently ranted about my back yard neighbors who left Muttley out to bark all night. Well, they were seriously chastised by other neighbors besides me, and Muttley is now living the indoor life of Riley. For all of you who are thinking of buying a condo, be advised that condos are just apartments that own you. Whether or not you pay rent or a mortgage, you still share fairly tight space with one or two neighbors, and if you are in one of the high rises, you will share with the folks across the hall as well. Their turnip greens will be your turnip greens too. Probably the only real difference from renting is that it's virtually impossible to throw out a nasty neighbor whose piece of the American dream shares a common wall or hallway with yours.
Beauty Isn't Only on the Inside
Posted by Mandi Coleman (04.10.07, 2:04 PM) True Story: A friend of mine purchased her salary's worth of cosmetic's from Sephora over the weekend. She swiped her credit card once the makeup artist had tested all the products on her face. Today though, she was less than happy with her investment after the morning's attempt to produce the same results herself. But isn't this the case with everything? I assume that is why we call these beauty technicians artists. Surely there is something we can do to achieve the look ourselves! Believe me, I buy the high-end application brushes. I search near and far for the best foundation (which I am currently on the hunt for. If anyone knows of something marvelous do tell.) Needless to say, I am still me. No product has yet to cover up these dark circles under my eyes. Perhaps I'll just turn out the flourescent lighting above the computer and opt for candlelight from now on. A good friend is doing the same...maybe we'll start a trend.
Born Again and Again and Again
Posted by John Denson (04.08.07, 01:22 PM) I asked a priest if he really thinks Jesus is going to come again, like, to Chicago or someplace, or, maybe, the Green Hills Maggie Moos or Mary's Barbeque on Jefferson Street. Wherever. The priest said he already has. I asked, "did I miss it?" He said, "that depends."
Shoerly there's another way
Posted by Julie Eskind (04.08.07, 10:48 AM) When it comes to getting out on the party scene dance floor, I have to put out there what so many of us are thinking: bare feet feel better! Especially considering the shoes that we women usually wear to some events. I can’t get down and funky with my toes bulging every which way out of strappy straps and the balls of my feet throbbing from unnatural uplift. (Besides, in four-inchers I sometimes can’t make normal eye contact with the rest of the world anyway; I turn into a demi-ogre. Sometimes that’s a plus, though.) Why the hell do we put ourselves through the torture of high-heel-itis? (more)
Thankful redux
Posted by Beth Alexander (04.06.07, 6:40 PM) For some reason, a glitch is preventing entry to the comments portion of Anne Clayton's essay on gratitude. Should you have an answer to her query, reply here.
Snow on Highway 100
Posted by Beth Alexander (04.06.07, 5:58 PM) snowflakes in April a slo-mo scrim of flotsam dogwood waits, so still
House Beautiful
Posted by Mandi Coleman (04.06.07, 1:56 PM) Being the hopeless shopaholic I am, moving into a new home has offered many trips to stores and their internet counterparts in the search for that perfect rug...amongst other items. Wanting to be different than your run of the mill Pottery Barn replica, I have aimlessly been looking for places that will offer me exactly what I want, but at a price that affords me to fill the entire house with new goodies. Impossible? Yes, I'm beginning to think it is. Unfortunately, I am the type of person that can go into any store and pick out my favorite item right off the bat. To go along with this comes the most expensive price tag, which is my curse and fate. I have recently discovered Horchow, causing my credit card a place in the freezer before long. It's a great catalog and website, however and I am in the process of tracking my bedding as I type. Where are the reasonably priced websites and stores, though? Some knowledgeable person needs to help me, or I may be writing about my bagged lunches soon (oh, the horror!)
Model Behavior Party Favors
Posted by Julie Schoerke (04.03.07, 9:22 PM) It’s been several weeks since the fun night out at the Model Behavior event. I looked again at the paperwork inside my party favor bag. If you were a patron that night and you haven’t looked closely at what was inside, I advise you to dig it out and do so now. A patron reservation was $100. It was a great way to support some very worthwhile not-for-profits, enjoy fancy drinks, a fun crowd and a cool atmosphere at Radius 10, downtown. At the same time, and I don’t mean to sound crass, it turned out to be a really great investment. Those wonderful patron goodie bags included a $300 gift certificate toward pampering at Elan Skin and a $100 gift certificate for dry cleaning at Chesley the cleaner. To get a 400% return on investment and support good works in the community?! Only in Nashville.
Wednesday nights rock again
Posted by Julie Schoerke (04.03.07, 8:45 PM) I cannot believe that I can get my Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel fix for $5. Nathan Lee is back hosting Writers At The Rutledge on Wednesday nights starting tomorrow night. His raspy voice is simliar to Springsteen and when he plays the piano you think you're watching Joel. Just like those guys, he got his start up north on the Jersey Shore and around the Philadelphia area. Perennial Nashville favorite Phil Madiera and Sam Ashworth, a favorite of the young professional crowd, are going to open and close the show. I stopped in to listen to their rehearsal Monday night. It got me enthusiastic enough to put aside my normal 9:00 p.m. bedtime and plan to meet some girlfriends there. George Landolt, long-time Nashville investment executive, is Lee’s manager and a reliable fixture at each of his shows. If you want to listen to some good music in a smoke-free environment, join us Wednesday night at The Rutledge, 410 4th Ave. South. We’ll save a seat for you at our table.
Target Practice
Posted by Mandi Coleman (04.03.07, 1:00 PM) My new, shiny car has a scratch. Actually, the vehicle has more than a few dings and dents since its purchase two weeks ago. Nashville has always been known as having a high accident rate when it comes to highways and interstates. But in regards to doing damage to others' vehicles, how do we rate? My rear passenger door seems to have been hit by someone else's car door, making a chip in the glossy exterior. Not only this, but the rear bumper was hit by my apartment complex gate when it suddenly crashed into me as I was driving through one morning. This is coincidentally the same apartment I am moving away from this very weekend. There is an irony about things like this. Wearing a white dress will only make you spill spaghetti sauce down the front at one point in the day. Strapping on high heels early in the morning will find you hiking through the mall on a last minute errand that afternoon. Similarly, attempting to protect your new car from the elements will only make you notice the minute flaws that are bound to happen. For the time being, I refuse to think of myself as the bull's eye for accident prone individuals.
Thankful, thankful, thankful
Posted by Anne Clayton (04.01.07, 3:37 PM) I have been traveling a lot lately in and out of the good old US of A, to destinations that are billed as paradise. These places are advertised as heaven on earth with scenery not to be believed, fantastic trees, flowers, birds...great restaurants, first class entertainment, wonderful, smiling, friendly people, good weather, boating, fishing and world class shopping. I had some wonderful experiences during my travels, but now that I am home enjoying the gift of another spectacular Nashville spring, I realize that all of those things are right here! Chime in fellow bloggers and N the Know readers and share your favorite people, places and things that make living in and around middle Tennessee so great. What would you miss the most if you had to move away? If you were trying to convince someone to move here...what would you tell them?
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