Urban tour and fun surprises.



Pierre humoring me at Drake's

 

Drake's Duck In

 

Late Thursday afternoon I came across an add for Columbia's Urban Tour.  This was a way to get people to come out on Main St. after 5pm and see what downtown Columbia has to offer.  So I sent out a couple texts and Pierre was able to come with.  There were about six blocks of music, art, food, and the always fun people watching.  Heard some new bands (or at least new to me- Whiskey Tango Revue was one) and got to see the Who Shot Rock & Roll exhibit at  the Columbia Museum of Art.  And I made it to Drake's Duck In!  I had not been there in years... like 20.  Because every time I would drive through Main St they would be closed (like most businesses in the area when the main businesses close at 5 the small surrounding ones close for the day as well).  I was so nervous that I had built up the yummy-ness in my head that I would be disappointed.  Not the case at all.  It was soooooo good!  Pierre was impressed with the fries.  We then went and listened to some of the bands.  Whiskey Tango Revue was playing and I really liked their sound.  I now have a new band to listen out for. 



The fam



The amazing cake



Then on Saturday, the family headed to Camden to surprise my grandmother with an early eightieth birthday party. All five of her kids were able to make it into town along with most of the grandkids. As people started showing up she just thought it was the biggest coincidence that everyone ended up in town on the same weekend. First of the family to come down were my uncle Forest and Greg. They "just decided to come down to the lake for a weekend". Then, Uncle Hollis and Aunt Sherri drove up from Charleston "where they had flown in to visit a friend". Aunt Carrie just popped in. Then Grandma called us to try and see if we could come and visit since everyone else was here but we "had plans already". When they all got to Sam Kendall's restaurant she was shocked to see us there. And I blame Lent for her not putting things together (she is really, really busy this time of year but it worked in our favor :) ). She kept saying we all needed to call my Uncle Craig because everyone together was just awesome and how it was too bad he was still at the beach... and then he walked in along with his kids.  It was a wonderful night.  With the exception of getting caught in the horrible storm on the way home.  One of the scariest times of my life- if not the scariest.  We couldn't see the road, hail, cars swerving, and we were past the point of return because you can't turn around or you'd be driving back into the storm.  We made it home thanks to God and my dad's great driving skills.  Luckily, once we got though the storm it bypassed Columbia and it was a quiet night.  I will tell you though I speed home and put my little storm kit together :).  So I just had a nice relaxing Sunday where I cleaned and decompressed.  Tomorrow I plan on going to the ropes course for some last minute practice for Saturday's Mud Run.  Only six days left!



Busy, busy week!

I finally made it out today.  I didn't want to at all.  I was tired and just wanted to go home but I have a meeting tomorrow night (Columbia Area Phi Mu Alumnae- so fun but I won't be running) and it has been over a week since my last run... last Sunday to be specific.  My week was busy (see map below).  But really interesting- it was nice to see the campuses and learn a little more about how they all work.  However, the days were LONG.  Five AM is not my friend!  Some pics from the road below.  And in addition to that I had a Columbia APH meeting (we went to Mad Platter-again fun but no running- and note to self I still need to pick my piece up!), dates (let you know if it leads anywhere- fingers crossed about one), and other job.  So this weekend when I had a free second I was very lazy.  Now to get back on track 'cause I only have 12 days until the mud run.  GULP!  And a huge thank you to those who have donated the the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society!






On the road again...




So pretty here at USCA



Water was moving
 fast tonight after all
 the rain last week

View Larger Map

I wanna go back...

Dad in the corner, waiting on me.

 Last weekend we went to Miami for my cousin Ally's wedding, which was a beautiful affair.  We arrived on Friday and went to her uncle's house for the rehearsal dinner.  Hopefully, I will have some pictures soon depending on if Caroline's turned out.  Because without those words cannot do it or the guests justice.

Scenery during run.  I want
to be ocean front every run.

On Saturday morning, I got up and went to the gym for a run on the treadmill.  I had just started when my dad came in from his run and asked if I wanted to go out with him.  It was a beautiful run.  The only thing I would have changed was my pants.  I started regretting them after about half a mile.  I was wearing my compression pants, which I love, but not on a warm day.  I wanted shorts bad!  

Saturday afternoon was the wedding and the day continued to be beautiful.  The wedding itself was lovely.  Again, hopefully I will have more pictures soon!  The people were great, the venue was great, and the food was great.  What more can you ask for!  I even got out there and danced... without being plastered!   Shocking I know.  My Aunt Theresa's brother dragged me out and I am so glad he did. 

My only regret the whole weekend was that it had to end.  I am ready to go back.

Daddy/daughter dance.



Miami Tower Terrace



Miami Tower (pic stolen

from Ally and Chris's website)



My legs are going to hate me tomorrow.



Such nice scenery if you
discount all the yellow on
the ground.



They don't look so bad
here but they are not fun.
In fact, they may be evil.



My nose kinda already does (thank you pollen).  We went out to Riverfront Park to do a little endurance training for the MudRun.  Which is now a little longer and has a new mystery obstacle.  Thank you The State Newspaper for making my morning.  It was quite warm tonight.  There was a high today of 87 and it was still about 85 tonight when the LLS TNT group met (if you want to know more about LLS TNT please see the widget/box on the upper right side of this page).  We set out to do 3 miles tonight and then do ten to fifteen sets of stairs.  And as Cliff, our coach, reminded us that is sets, not up and down five times to equal ten.  So even though it was quite warm there was a great breeze.  Then we come back to the stairs.  I have not ever paid any attention to them before other than being all, 'oh look, there are stairs here.  That's kind of an odd place for them.'  Then I start down them and about bust my butt.  These were freaking stadium stairs.  They are like a foot high and like a foot and a half long.  So, long story short, they sucked.  I couldn't get a good rhythm going and just split the difference and did 13 sets.  I don't know what we are doing Thursday night but on Saturday we are doing a wet shoe trail run.  Which means it is time to decide which of the old shoes will be used during the race.  I have a feeling that I am going to have some really unhappy body parts come Sunday.

What I hate about SC

A follow up to the I love SC post a few weeks ago.  As I headed down to Miami (more about that later), the eyes start itching, the sneezing begins, and I see this stuff everywhere...  Worst part of living here for me, hands down.

New stuff!



http://www.sweatybands.com/



So last weekend I somehow found the time to shop.  I went a little overboard but I needed it all.  For realz, promise.  I got some new running shoes, Saucony Omni 9's.  I like them alot and they are super comfy, but after the Brooks and Mizuno's they feel really heavy (even though it's only like an ounce).  I am sure I will get over it shortly.  I also got my first Sweaty Bands.  Holy Crap, I am in LOVE.  This thing is awesome, a little expensive, but awesome.  Their slogan is "OMG... they don't slip!" And they don't.  I feel an intervention may be needed shortly.  If you see I have more bands than days of the week just say "Melissa, you have a problem and I am here from you.  Now back away from the display." 

Also, my new nano came in today.  However, the new ones have a quirk.  I went running tonight, turned it on, and after a few seconds it turned off.  I turned it back on and it turned itself off.  Lather, rinse, repeat.  So I come home and Googled it.  Evidently, you REALLY have to push the headphones in until there is a loud click.  It worked... A little to late tonight but I have high hopes for Saturday morning.

And a little old stuff.  I forgot to update from the Wine Tasting (see photo) and with our efforts this year the Columbia Phi Mu Alumnae Chapter submitted $1767.84 to our local  CMN affiliate.

Total Eclipse of the Heart followed by a little Gin and Juice



Trail to the gardens at the Zoo



Pretty good considering I was
jogging at the time.











Waiting on the phone to ring

Weekend, where did you go?  This weekend was packed... and just as random as those two songs.  Friday night I went out with the boys which is always a treat.  We went to dinner at the Tin Roof and that was nice but much better was the music they had playing.  It was like they had pulled VH1's I love the 80's and 90's play lists with a little from the one hit wonders too.  There were some awesome songs played that brought back so many memories (both good and bad) for all of us.  End of the Road by Boys II Men.  I know you all have a story to go with it.  Total Eclipse of the Heart for the most over the top video ever.  You just hear that song and you can see the doves and the wind machine.  Or just the fun one's: Biz Markie's Just a Friend or the Gourds' Gin and Juice.  I dare you to not have one of those songs in your head by now.

Just a few of us working the phones



Then, early Saturday morning I got up and went to the March for Meals 5k at the zoo.  It was early and rainy and there was a big, big hill.  But I got my run in and started the day off right.  Though I will admit to being a little disappointed that the route was just through the "gardens" part of Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens.  After a brief attempt at a nap (so didn't happen) I went in to work.

This morning our Alumnae group went and worked the Radiothon for our local CMN affiliate hospital.  It was a little slow but it was Sunday, which around here means church and lunch.  Hopefully the late afternoon group had little more success.  And, since it has been a musicy weekend, I will now go and download a couple more songs for the iPod.  I think I need a little Howlin for You by The Black Keys and in the spirit of St. Pat's this month Shipping up to Boston by the Dropkick Murphys.  I think those two will help get me off of my butt tomorrow.