Running Back to Louisville

I was recently invited to Louisville, KY for a mom's trip for my work (HelmsBriscoe). I have to admit that there were a couple things going through my head. I have a rather lengthy list of places I want to visit - but I can't say that Louisville was at the top of the list - or even in the top HALF. But, I am always up for a trip. No matter where that trip takes me - whether it is down the street to the park or to foreign lands. (I'm not implying that Louisville is a foreign land). 

So I decided to see if me and my client would qualify to go on this Louisville trip. (Qualifications were you had to work at HelmsBriscoe, You had to be a mom, your client had to be a mom and possibly have business for the city that the trip is to). We qualified! 

When we arrived in Louisville - almost the moment we got off the plane our names were announced on the PA system. Wow. That is an amazing way to start the weekend and make someone feel special. We were greeted with a rose that was stenciled "Welcome to Louisville" and whisked off in a limo to our hotel - the Marriott. Upon arrival at the Marriott - we were greeted by the hotel manager who had already checked us in and just handed us our room keys. 

Immediately we went to our rooms.  In our rooms was waiting a fun welcome bag with pink fuzzy horse slippers, Muhammad Ali Museum T-shirt and boxing glove keychain, and a fun toiletry kit with burbon infused lotion and body wash (should have been the first clue that nearly everything in Louisville is burbon infused), basically just combed our hair and went to 4th Street Live - which is just around the corner from the hotel. Fourth Street Live is a city block full of restaurants and shopping. Very active and fun. We ate a simple appetizer at Gordon Birsch - and then went to the reception at the hotel. 

The reception was sort of themed around the Kentucky Oaks - the race that is run the night before the famous Derby (fittingly the "night before"). The weekend was filled with more food than any of us could eat and drinks a plenty. This night was no exception with details clearly thought through - from the "lilly" drink (the official drink of the Oaks and significantly better than the julep which has become the drink of the Derby), the Kentucky cheeses, the "hot brown" and burbon infused in nearly everything including the gelato. 

We then went to dinner just around the corner at the top of the Hyatt (next door) in the room at the top - it rotates with amazing city views. We were treated once again to far too much food (lucky I wasn't currently on a diet). We had the most amazing flowers on our table complete with a great story or quote about what their mom means to them or memories with their mom from the staff members of the hotel.

When we arrived back in the room another rose (this time stamped with Marriott Hearts HB) and a Gigi's cupcake were waiting for us. The cupcake went with a story from the Marriott head of sales that she had told earlier in the night. But amazingly the one that was waiting for me was Red Velvet - my daughter's favorite. She and I had been talking about going to Gigi's earlier in the week. And I had told her no. But that would have been her Gigi's choice.


The next morning started with a breakfast with the Mayor's wife at the Mayor's house in a really pretty part of the city. They tell us that this part of the city has the biggest collection of Victorian style mansions. The breakfast was amazing. Then we went to the Aveda Spa - and had the most amazing hour and a half pedicures. I got my toes painted a bright peacock blue with sparkles on the top. (Yeah, my daughter will be jealous). We ate lunch on the party bus on the way back to the hotel. We had only about an hour at the hotel before we were to go on to reception and dinner. My client and I decided to walk down by the waterfront.

We boarded the bus to the Seelbach hotel (which was really pretty close to the hotel - but they tour a  circuitious route past Main street - where the Louisville Slugger, Muhammad Ali, 21C, Flame Arts studio and more are located in a really pretty area. We toured the Seelbach - which is where part of Great Gatsby was written and saw their really cool basement meeting room. (Touched the Pelican's Beak for good luck). From there we were treated to a haunted tour in the bus of Millionaire's Row. And a story in a historical home of a time when Louisville was more of a young walled city. Then on to dinner at Buck's. Buck's is a city favorite - with AMAZING food. It is in a residential area. The food and conversation was fun as well. Then we had dessert at the Brown. This historic hotel was great as well. (Although the sales lady that said "come with me" then led us over to the overlook and just announced "this is my lobby" was kind of funny!) It was indeed beautiful. And great story that when the town flooded that people were fishing from the 3rd floor balcony into the lobby - and actually catching fish! Seems like a long day - it was but we still found time to wind down in the hospitality suite (on the 4th floor of our hotel).

The following  morning started early with a 7 call time. We got on the busses and were taken to Churchill Downs - the famous race track that the Kentucky Derby was run just two weeks prior. We had a special bugle welcome (just for our group) watched the horses working out and got to see the 2009 Derby winner Mine That Bird. (We also learned that he made in excess of 300 million per year after his win just to be bred). We were treated to breakfast there and heard Sandra Day (wife of famous jocky, Pat Day) speak on her Mom's Closet Charity. 

After breakfast we went to the "shoes and booze" tour. It was a tour of the Jim Beam Distillery. (We all wondered what ole' Jim was doing during the 13 years of prohibition because his distillery was up and running just days after the repeal). The Jim Beam Distillery really has an entire campus that is beautiful and lush. Plus, you get to try some of the bourbon after the tour. (I tried Honey and Cinnamon - but still don't think I'm a bourbon drinker). 

After that we went to the Zappos factory outlet where we shopped. The place was GIANT. There were a full four rows (6 tiers high) of shoes in my size. I was overwhelmed and while we had an hour - it really was not enough time. (I could have stayed there another hour - or maybe I was taking my time more than I would have because I knew we had an hour). 

When we returned to the hotel - My client and I walked over to the Louisville Bat Factory. It was fun to go on the 1/2 hour tour to see how bats are made. Short tour - but interesting. And I got a free bat for my son. After that tour we went back to the hotel. We got ready for a fancier dinner. Got to the lobby in time to spend about a 1/2 hour in the sports bar there to watch the Preakness (horse race) - and then on to the bus again for the final meal at the Galt House Hotel. This was another rotating room. It moved faster than the previous. The food was delicious!

During the whole weekend we had a photographer following us. One of the other HB Moms made friends with him (Tim). Tim took us to a bar on the South side of town where his friend was playing in a band. The  band was good. We got to dance and laugh (and a couple other good stories there). Then on the way home Tim toured us through Highlands and NuLou area where there is a resurgence - and where more of the locals hang out. 


I felt like royalty the whole time. I loved Louisville, I may just go running back there! Derby is now on my bucket list (and maybe an extra pair of shoes from Zappos? ;)  )

When I hear your name

It used to be when I would hear your name I would get a giggled deep in my stomach. One that made me smile all the way through my entire being. I couldn't really believe that someone would associate you with me. What a thrill. What a cool thing. I would hear your name and be proud of your choices, goals and accomplishments. When I would hear your name I knew that the association was a good and positive thing.

Now when I hear your name - I wonder what has happened to you. Why you made the choices you did. I wonder if you are really happy or if you have let someone else lead you down a dangerous path. When I hear your name I think of personal distruction. When I hear your name I feel anger and distrust. When I hear your name I hear "idiot" in my own head (begging me to try to figure out what it was I even saw in you in the first place).

I hear that other person's name spat with distain and dislike. I hear that other person's name and no one gets a smile. I hear that other person's name and wonder how someone like that has lead you to where you are now - wherever that is.

But now, when I hear your name - I am glad I am no longer associated with it. When I hear your name I feel sad for you. When I hear your name there is no more praise - but rather I wonder if you know what you have done to your own reputation. Do you care?

Some people are just good at things

There are some people in life who seem to get all the breaks, know the right people, aspire to the right dreams. There are just some people that seem to have it all - and do it right.

Why is it that some people are able to achieve everything they set out achieve while others can't seem to do that? 

Why do some people dwell on things that are not within their control or are in the past while others seem indestructible?

Yeah, this started a bit like a this is what I believe segment. I believe that people are presented with issues, they are presented with different people and situations in their life. Some are happy. Those ones are easy to take. And then there are those that are difficult. 

So I started wondering why is it that some people are able to let nearly everything roll off their back with an assuredness that overall life is good. That there are better things on the way for them. That the items that would nearly break someone else - they are able to handle with relative ease. 

I recently met a friend who had a seizure about 9 weeks ago. While by all outward appearances he has nearly healed. He has the marks of a scar on his forehead. He has been forced to look for a new job. He has said that he wished he would have died on that day. I don't feel sorry for him. I don't feel the least bit of anything in the way of being downtrodden. I wish I could explain how I see it...

Here is how I would see it. The seizure while difficult was something that happened. No reason to dwell there - except for the lesson it may be teaching you. By having the seizure you had to slow down your fast paced life. You had to see life differently. You had to stop what was not right. Yes, looking for a new job is never fun nor easy. But this means that there is greater success for you out there. That you were not doing the right think (seriously, what kind of company lets someone go because they have had a seizure?!?!) But may be this just means you need to fight for something else. That you are stronger than you give yourself credit for. That you had to get to one place to get to another. 

So no, I just get frustrated that I can not explain that this is a good thing for you. That you need to stop dwelling in it but rather move on from it.  
 

Off Night

Have you ever had one of those just sort of "off" nights? You know. The night where you really don't feel like yourself. I feel like I had one of those nights tonight. I usually consider myself pretty upbeat and outrageously outgoing - maybe even a little bit funny. But tonight I was just sort of BLAH. It wasn't the company. They were great. But for some reason - it just seemed...off.

Then I totally freaked out. Like, what happens if that is the real me? The one that is sort of serious, the one that was not doing a good job at all of listening, one that had too many other things on her mind? When was the last time that I had an absolute all-out belly laugh? When was the last time I could really let it all go and just be...in the moment? I don't want to be the serious one. That is not my role. I don't know how to play that part!!!

QUIET!!!

I am no longer afraid of the quiet. I used to abhor the idea of sitting my house alone with my thoughts.  I would try to drown them out with music, television or anything else that might make noise and not make me feel so...alone. 

But now, in the quiet of the morning, I find these times some of the best. I am able to wrestle with my own reflections on the past, dreams for the future, hopes for tomorrow. I am able to make plans in my head on how those goals will be achieved. I am able to put together a path on how to take life for EVERYTHING it offers - and realize that I am not simply what someone else hands to me, but rather what I want to accomplish and set my mind to doing.

Now...turn up the music. Let's dance today.