Planning and Dixie Hummingbirds

Yesterday I made a categorized to-do list. And I loved it. I'm a planner. I'd even say that planning things might a hobby. Now, before you go jumping to conclusions, I do NOT have a pinterest page that looks like this.

In fact, I don't even use pinterest at all. ("Gasp!" say my sorority sisters)

I like planning things like moves to places I don't intend to live and vacations I can't afford to take. Down to very specific details. Like whether I'll have to switch insurance companies because this-or-that city doesn't have a State Farm office. Or what bank I'll use. Or what tropical cocktail I'll order from the comfort of the beach chair. Or what I'll do during a 5 hour layover in Houston. (People watch and avoid eating at Chili's Too.)

I like to play a game where I search for the cheapest international flights from Anchorage. Once I decide on a place, I see how fast I can get there. Less than 30 hours, preferably. If you remember, Anchorage is really far from a lot of places.

Then I look at my calendar to see how I can best optimize my time off from work. Then I start looking for places to stay and things to do around those places. Bam! Many hours later, vacation planned.

Some people knit. I peruse AirBnB for the best places to stay in Cambodia. Everyone needs a hobby.

This week's hot jam is Nobody's Fault by Dixie Hummingbirds. Dixie Hummingbirds have been around since 1928. Seriously. It's on Wikipedia, you can look it up. I've heard their musical style referred to as Gospsoul, which is fun to say and an accurate description.  Nobody's Fault has foot stomping AND hand clapping. Wins all around.

This is a weird video, but it's about the music, man, so deal with it?

San Antonio, Travel Tips, and Bell Biv DeVoe

I was in San Antonio last week for the National Science Teachers Association conference, and granted I only was there a few days and only explored an about 10 block area, but these are the things I liked:

1) Sunshine and warm weather - It was 80 degrees. 80. degrees. It was 15 degrees when I left for work this morning, so you can imagine how much I enjoyed the 65 degree temperature increase.

I booked my hotel specifically for the rooftop pool.

2) Crosswalks talk to you - "Wait. Wait. Wait. Crossing Alamo at Commerce" I know this is for visually impaired people, and that's great.But I really like that I feel like I'm sticking to the man when I cross the street while the crosswalk is telling me to wait. YOU DON'T KNOW MY LIFE. I DO WHAT I WANT.

3) Speaking of crosswalks, it's walk-able - At least the downtown area is. Sure, you can walk around downtown in Anchorage, but can you wear jorts and eat gelato while members of a mariachi band cross the street ahead of you? No.

4) Riverwalk - Okay, it's a little touristy and, to be honest, reminds me of Las Vegas, but I like it nonetheless.

5) The Alamo - Sue me. I love a good historical site.

I wrote about travel tips before, but here are some more:
1) Don't crowd the gate - It's rude and annoying and if you are in group 4, you aren't getting any overhead space anyway, so just chill out.

2) Be aware of your scents - Be it perfume, body odor, or beef jerky, remember that you and everyone else are going to be trapped in a relatively small metal tube for many hours. Be courteous.

3) Nail filing - I fly pretty often, but this was a new one for me. While sitting at the gate in San Antonio the woman next to me started filing her nails. I thought, "Oh, maybe she snagged her nail on the zipper of her suitcase. That hurts." But then she just kept filing. And filing. And filing. Then the next thing I know, there are gross fingernail shavings all over her chair. THE AIRPORT IS NOT THE PLACE FOR THAT. Gross.


I really wanted the Hot Jam this week to be Bump 'n Grind by R.Kelly. But it turns out I already wrote about that during Slow Jam Week (who would have thought?) So instead this week's hot jam is Poison by Bell Biv DeVoe. Not only is the video A-MAZING, but Poison features lines like, "Never trust a big butt and smile." Lyrical genius. Just try not to dance.

Travel and R.Kelly

I just got back from a work trip to Fairbanks and a vacation to Durham. I like going new places and getting my picture taken in front of new tourist attractions.

Like the Lucky Strike tower in Durham

 I'm not a huge fan of flying, but until I've developed teleportation powers, air travel will have to do.

Jumper, anyone?

If you are not aware, Anchorage is really far from most places, which means whenever I fly anywhere I'm probably going to have to make at least one, but probably two connections.

 As a result, I've been in a lot of airports and I've picked up some travel tips along the way.


Travel tips and ways not to annoy your fellow travelers:

1) Want to check a bag but don't want to pay for it? If you are on a full flight (as mine always seem to be), pack in the biggest carry-on you can. Chances are they will check your bag through to your final destination at the gate because everyone and their mom packs in a roller bag and they won't all fit in the overhead compartment. Bonus: you don't have to lift your giant bag over your head.

2) If your flight gets canceled go down to the ticketing counter and skip the desk at the gate. They'll be swamped. Also while you are walking/waiting in line, call the airline's help number. And be polite. Airline staff are not trying to keep you in the airport. You're way more likely to get put in first class seat you don't have to pay for if you say please and thank you.

3) If you are on a full flight, don't go up to the counter and ask to switch to a window/aisle seat. Everyone hates you and no one wants to trade. Check-in on time and you won't have to deal with it.

4) Practically every flight out of Anchorage is a red eye, so I'm well-versed in the finer points of airplane sleeping. I like the window because I can lean against it and won't get my elbows bashed by the drink cart or accidentally start snuggling up with my neighbor.

But sitting in the window means you are not getting up to go to the bathroom. Everyone in your row is going to be asleep. Just accept it and don't order 5 ginger ales.

5) NO, YOU CAN'T TAKE THAT DASANI YOU JUST BOUGHT THROUGH SECURITY. It's been more than 10 years, folks. Learn the TSA rules. You are holding up the line. (Note: a jar of peanut butter is considered a liquid, so put it on a sandwich or put it in your checked bag) (Double note: they WILL let you take a quart sized bag of mini liquor bottles through. Just FYI)

This week's hot jam is Ignition (Remix) by R. Kelly. I love hip hop and as terrible as R. Kelly is at making life choices, he makes a good hip hop song. Try not to get it stuck in your head. Go ahead. You won't be able to. This came on when I was out for Halloween last weekend. It's been stuck in my head since. You're welcome.

Bonus points for spotting Nick Cannon

Countdowns and Carrie Rodriguez and Ben Kyle

I'm tempted to just post the video for Final Countdown, but I won't. You're welcome.

I like to get excited about things. (Who doesn't, right?) Sometimes I think the anticipation is better than the event. And that's why I countdown to things. Here are some things I've been counting down to.

1) The Olympics.

Tom Daley is 18 and I definitely don't care or feel like a creep. Take that, World!

I LOVE the Olympics. I like to watch the weird events like archery and badminton (speaking of badminton, did you see 4 teams were disqualified for throwing their matches??) but I'm also super obsessed with swimming, gymnastics, and diving (diving for obvious reasons. See above.) Thanks to my parents DirecTV service I can watch all 3500+ hours live.

2) BFF Alaska Adventures!

My BFF Steven gets here in 19 days and we are going on ALL KINDS of adventures. He's my favorite human being.

3) Speaking of Adventures...

Brandino and Jim forever!

These two crazy kids are getting married in 24 days and they are letting me perform the wedding ceremony. For real.

4) Labor Day Family Time

There have been a lot of milestones in my family this summer, so we are celebrating them all at once. You know, killing 15 birds with one stone. My family is nothing if not efficient.

5) Vacation!

Flying cuts 73 hours off my travel time

Since I've become a "grown up" (using the term loosely, of course) I haven't taken any vacations that I've a) paid for on my own and b) were not related to a holiday or family function. I'll be taking my first one ever in 87 days, thanks to some airline miles, a job that pays real money, and my upcoming PFD check.

This week's hot jam was going to be something else, but I heard Fire Alarm by Carrie Rodriguez and Ben Kyle on the radio this morning and became totally obsessed. (I've listened to 5 times already today.) A little bit bluegrass, a little bit pop and I super love it. Greater-Jackson, WY readers, Carrie is going to be in Victor, ID on Thursday, August 7th. You should probably go.