Confused Woman!

As I’m sitting here freezing my ass off in Minnesota, I’m thinking about the Las Vegas vacation I’m starting tomorrow.  The high temps are going to be in the 70’s, sixty degrees warmer than here.  My daughter is disappointed the outdoor pool will be closed.  Hell, I’m happy sitting next to the drained pool in a lawn chair, soaking up some vitamin D.

Then I start daydreaming, wondering what it would be like to live there.  No more snow to shovel, ice to slip on, frostbite to endure.  But then I remember when I was in Las Vegas in July for a convention.  The highs were in the 110’s and it was windy.  You’d walk out of the hotel where it felt like 50 degrees and run smack into a blast furnace.  It would literally take your breath away.

Perhaps a nice place like California?  I’m sure with my technical background I could find a job, but with the cost of housing so high, we’d have to live in a studio apartment.  Of course, there’s the traffic, earthquakes, and wildfires to deal with.  Sounds heavenly?

Let’s face it, every place has its positives and negatives.  Right now for Minnesota, it’s this brutal winter that’s creating a huge thumbs down in many people’s minds.  However, the other three seasons, excellent schools, and great quality of life make up for the crappy weather.

I’ll probably end up being snowbirds like my parents.  You raise your kids and then you bail on winter.  It’s not a bad plan, until I think about the 12 more winters I’ll have to endure before my daughter graduates from high school.  NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

Monday was awesome. I had no idea it was going to happen. I love listening to the Dave Ryan Show in the morning to entertain myself while working. Dave, Falen and Steve-O always crack me up, which is a challenge when you’re sitting in a cube trying not to bust a gut.

Falen does a funny bit where she makes really obnoxious noises to annoy Dave and Steve-O. I also do the same thing with my six year-old daughter. I thought, wouldn’t it be funny if Falen and I had an annoying noises competition? It seemed especially appropriate with the winter Olympics going on now.

I emailed the show with my idea last week and didn’t hear back, so I forgot about it. Then last Sunday, I received an email from the show. They loved my idea and asked if I could come into the studio and do the bit live.

There was a nasty snowstorm Monday morning but luckily, I had the day off so the timing was perfect, even though the weather wasn’t. I arrived at the studio and the staff and interns were so nice. I was shocked at how much work goes on behind the scenes to make a radio show happen. Katie was working like a mad woman at the controls, ensuring everything would flow smoothly. She’s truly a pro and impressive.

I was brought into the studio and was surprised at how tiny it was. Dave and Falen were very welcoming and sweet. The time came to do the bit and I wasn’t nervous at all. It was like sitting around joking with your friends.

Before I knew it, the time was up. It went so incredibly fast. I had an amazing time and will never forget the experience. It reminded me of how much I enjoy being creative and entertaining people. So, my next project will be working on a podcast in addition to my blog. I’ll be sure to let you know when it’s ready for you to enjoy!

In the meantime, if you want to hear the obnoxious noises, go to daveryanshow.com, click on the Listen menu at the top of the page, click on Podcasts, and select Part 3, 2/17/14.

I’ve had enough of the “polar vortex” crap.  I booked a trip to Vegas.  Not a “go wild with the girls” Vegas trip, but a family trip with my daughter.  I know that sounds like an oxymoron, but you actually can take kids there and avoid the debauchery.

Initially, I wanted to visit my parents in Florida.  However, when two airline tickets were over $1000, I changed my mind.  If I’m going to pay that much for airfare, I’m going to Hawaii!

Southwest Airlines had a deal to Las Vegas:  2 airline tickets and 3 nights hotel for under $600. I couldn’t pass that up.  At first, I felt a little apprehensive about telling people we’re going to Vegas, like I was a bad parent or something.

First of all, we’re staying at Circus Circus, which is about as kid-friendly as you can get.  Second of all, I have a six year-old who doesn’t stay up past 9pm.  We all know the tourist ads state, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.”  These ads are not referring to activities that occur at 11am.

The more I thought about it, I decided this is a great trip for the two of us.  It will be sensory overload, with all the lights, people, and noise.  There’s a ton of walking on the strip as well, so between the action and the walking, she’ll be lucky to stay awake until 7.

Plus, I’m not a gambler so I would never take her around that smoke-filled environment.  The buffets are cheap, which is great when your kid eats like a bird (and her Mom doesn’t).  There are free activities up and down the strip and a ton of hotels to explore, so it doesn’t have to be an expensive trip.

Best part of the vacation for me?  I’m getting the hell outta here!!!

I was so excited for Sunday!  There was the Puppy Bowl, the first Kitten Bowl, and of course, the Super Bowl.  There were also the commercials.  I love watching the ads just as much, if not more, than the football game.

The Puppy and Kitten Bowls were absolutely adorable!  However, after 10 minutes of watching each show, my six year-old and I were bored.  Cute yes, riveting television, no.

The game started and I was pumped, thinking my Broncos were going to kick ass and take names. Instead, they imploded.  The team was playing like they were hung over from a bender in NYC the night before.  This was embarrassing and awful.

What made the evening even more torturous were the commercials.  A couple of them at the beginning of the game were cute, warm and fuzzy.  Fast-forward an hour and that’s ALL you saw for commercials.  I texted screams via Twitter, “Enough of the Mush Bowl already.  Stop it!”

Thank goodness the half-time show rocked.  Bruno Mars killed it.  The Red Hot Chili Peppers were also entertaining to watch.  That little Flea dude bounced around more than…well, a flea!

In the end, I wanted those several hours of my life back.  My team was annihilated and the commercials blew.  Next year, I’ll stick to the puppies and kittens.