Off Work with Nothing To Do
Posted by Mandi Coleman
(12.31.07, 12:32 PM)
Last night a group of us decided to go to a movie and then head out for a late dinner. After seeing Walk Hard and practically falling in the popcorn-ridden floor of the movie theater with laughter, we headed to Ted's Montana Grill, a favorite for all of us. It was just past 9pm, but when we walked in we were told they were closed because they had run out of food. Run out? It's New Year's weekend. I couldn't believe they didn't plan a little better. Not knowing what else would be open on a Sunday night, we became desperate and hunger drove us to Outback. But they had just closed their doors, as well. We found ourselves seated among the peanut shells of Logan's. They were open and it seemed like every other hungry night owl had found their way there, as well. What surprised me most about the whole event was that with it being the Holidays, why were more businesses not more accommodating? I would think they would be jumping at the chance to earn a little more money. But, even if it wasn't New Year's weekend, shouldn't more businesses (at least downtown) stay open later?
Ghost Town
Posted by Mandi Coleman
(12.26.07, 3:13 PM)
Last night I really needed to go to the store for some normal food. Not the many leftovers that will be in my house for the next few days, but the good, healthy food that I used to eat. My instinct made me head straight to Walmart, the only store in the world that I know is open 24/7. When I reached the parking lot though, it was deserted. Not a car in sight...something I had never seen up to that point. It was pointless to try the Kroger or Publix, so I headed home to eat some casseroles. Christmas Day may shut down most retailers, but Starbucks had people streaming in all day. I was one of them, since my brother was going stir-crazy at the house. There was a line practically to the door of people requesting Gingerbread lattes, so I sat in a comfy chair and watched the other strange people like myself that would come into Starbucks on Christmas Day.
Cookies and Candies and Popcorn, Oh My!
Posted by Mandi Coleman
(12.21.07, 3:56 PM)
Christmas weekend is just now approaching us, and I know for a fact my pants are a little more snug. Every day a new item gets placed in the kitchen to replace the previous day's empty containers. We all eat it, we all love it, and we all regret our actions that same night. I'm one of the first to rush in looking at the variety of goodies someone so graciously brought in. As a direct result, the Franklin Athletic Club has been seeing me more and more over the last few weeks, along with a few other guilty-faced individuals. I am one of the lucky few that will be in the office Monday, so we all plan to bring in an item for lunch. The problem? I'm sure we'll all wind up bringing desserts and just have one big sugar-fest. Maybe a casserole or two thrown into the mix for the heck of it. As I type this I'm stuffing my face with peanut brittle and wiping the sugar sprinkles from a long-gone cookie off my shirt. I am that kid from Willie Wonka that gets sucked up by the chocolate machine. Like him, I just can't help myself!
Home for the Holidays - in Nashville
Posted by Mandi Coleman
(12.19.07, 8:29 AM)
This year, I am hosting Christmas at my house. I'm nervous! There won't be many people, but just the fact that this year's memories will be made around my tree makes me want to go out and buy a few more glittery ornaments. Aside from that though, I want my dishes to be set correctly, the food to taste just right, and the entertainment to be anything but stale. How am I going to pull all this off? Thankfully, my fiancé can cook. Christmas dinner will be handled gourmet-style, I have no doubts. Christmas Eve is always hors d'oeuvres and movies, so this can be my department. I'll have the classics; A Christmas Carol, Miracle on 34th Street, and It's a Wonderful Life. Beneath the pile of unused cookbooks I have on my bookshelves, I found a Christmas cookbook that had the most wonderful looking appetizers...and they SEEM easy enough! Now to just get everyone settled in. I'm going to do some major damage to my holiday funds tonight, I feel certain. But, it's all in the spirit of giving!
Sushi for Christmas
Posted by Mandi Coleman
(12.14.07, 2:57 PM)
The Holiday Party was last night. Of course I found a dress at the last minute, one that is classic enough to last a few more seasons. The event itself was held on the second floor of Sambuca, and if you've ever been up there, you know there's a buddha statue and an outdoor terrace in this area. The buddha wore a santa hat, and the terrace was covered, heated, and crowded with tons of festive people. We had a great time, and the food was wonderful! Sushi, eggrolls, and phyllo-wrapped brie were passed around and consumed in large quantities. Every year the office has the same type of Holiday party, so this year I wanted to do things just a bit different. In my eyes it was a huge success. Everyone left with their parting gifts, either staggering to another venue, or waiting in line for the valet to locate their car. The pictures should be very interesting! After two hours of festivities, disposables were passed around to capture the unforgettable moments. Talk about candid camera!
The Quest for a Dress
Posted by Mandi Coleman
(12.12.07, 1:20 PM)
Tomorrow night is my company's holiday party, so I really wanted to find something festive to wear. I searched high and low, in teeny boutique's and online at major department stores, but couldn't come up with a single thing to throw on and look the part. Of course, it didn't help that I had a constantly evolving image in my mind of the one thing that would suit me, and nothing else would do. Like I said, tomorrow is the big event, and I am still without a fun dress. If I could find one I would even wear it for New Year's. (Yes, it's faux pas, but no one will see me at both events, anyway.) I would offer top dollar to the dress that fits in all the right places and looks great with my tights and sky-high Mary Janes. I'll be heading for the shops right after work with credit card in hand. Keep your fingers crossed!
The Joy of Catering
Posted by Mandi Coleman
(12.11.07, 12:07 PM)
Have I been Debbie Downer lately? That's the way it seems, but that could just be the repercussions of the Holiday season! Today I had lunch catered from Maggiano's on West End. It's actually the second time I've had food brought in from this particular restaurant. The first time the driver happened to be two full hours late. But, they swore they had gotten new management, offered a huge discount if I tried them out one more time, so I crossed my fingers and placed another order last week. Today was D-day, and he just finished setting out the items for everyone to enjoy. Too bad he was an hour late and everyone is ravenous. Other restaurants have delivered food and been 5, maybe 10 minutes, late before. But I can't believe how late Maggiano's consistently is. I can truthfully say I'll be ordering Italian from another place from now on. Anyone have any suggestions? Preferably somewhere that is known to have exceptional catering!
Timmy Teabags for Heisman
Posted by Dave Alexander
(12.10.07, 06:00 PM)
Who am I to criticize someone who has done in the 2007 season what no one has ever been able to do on several levels? Well, that's a good point, but I'm still here, criticizing away. In fact, though, I'm not too critical of Tim Tebow. He has been freaking incredible this season after all of the Gator fans have been hyping him as the modern day Jesus Christ over the offseason. And generally that kind of hype
Running a Tight Ship
Posted by Mandi Coleman
(12.06.07, 02:51 PM)
I know I've previously mentioned that a group of people and myself would be volunteering over the holidays. Last night we had one of these events at an organization that will remain nameless for now. The organization itself was not to blame for the calamity that took place; it was the person running the night's activities that should be booted out the door. When I volunteer to help out with anything, I expect to be given instructions on where my help is needed. This was the first mistake the girl made. None of the volunteers had a clue what food to bring, how many it should feed, and what types of food weren't needed at all. As a result, the people receiving the food got their pick of any cake, pie, or cookie known to man, but the main course was on the paltry side. I guess desserts are the easiest thing to bring when donating food.
It's in the Air
Posted by Mandi Coleman
(12.04.07, 8:29 AM)
Why can't people stay home when they're sick? Really, in the office there are countless people who arrive in the morning looking like death and infect us all through a series of coughs, sneezes, and simply touching the door handle with their grubby little hands. I understand not wanting to take a PTO day! But work from home if you can. Please leave me and my healthy, vitamin-filled body alone. Especially right before the holidays. I really want to be able to taste all of the junk food I'll soon be stuffing myself with.
Can't Put a Price on It
Posted by Mandi Coleman
(12.01.07, 5:03 PM)
I'm loving the new Hill Center shopping area! Greenhills has definately benefited from adding this to their once questionable variety of shops. Although the mall contains a few stores that frequently see my credit card, the parking is horrible with all the Cheesecake Facory lovers. (By the way, the Factory Mud Pie gets my vote!) But the Hill Center shops, especially Anthropologie and Swoozies, have helped me check off my Christmas list. Both have stationary, beauty and bath products that aren't found in every other store in the city, as well as more personal gift ideas like clothing, kitchen aids and novelties. Now, gifts for the men in my life are a little harder to come by. They should really open up a unique store for men that doesn't involve items from the Sharper Image. After all that shopping, it was nice to get a seat at California Pizza Kitchen, (it was mid-afternoon so there wasn't the normal line) and then get some grocery shopping done, all while parked at the same spot in the parking deck. Agh, CONVENIENCE.
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