I've been busy and believe it or not, I have added yet another blog: Wendy V's Nashville Blend. It really was just a matter of time before I started this up. After attending a couple of events so far, I knew I had to get to work in showing support for the great talent I've been hearing out here. I pray that it has the kind of helpful impact eventually that "Local Blend" I did for the Twin Cities music community did.
The weather here has been spectacular for the past couple of weeks. Sunny and in the 80s. If it rained, it didn't last long.
My car is not doing well, though. I don't know if Father Time is catching up with her finally at 11 years or if she is making a rough transition to Nashville, but she is coming up with more ailments. Keep her, and my budget, in your prayers.
I was taking the car out yesterday morning to get checked, and on the way out I saw one of our nature attractions where I live, a duck family of a big mama or papa duck (whichever--I don't know, but it's got a big green neck) leading five other little duckies out for a walk. I forgot my watch and had to go back and get it. By the time I was leaving my building, there was the whole ducky family right out in the middle of a very busy road in harm's way. I wasn't going in their direction, but here I was with my window open and yelling at them "get out of the road". (I don't know if they would have listened to me. They aren't real friendly to people--I tried to take their picture once and the big ducks started to try to chase me, so I hightailed it outta there.) I wonder what the other cars did. Apparently they were unscathed as they were back in their usual spot later in the day.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Think I'm Giving Up Walking
Today I took a walk at lunch to try to get to the post office. Well, I tried to walk, anyway. But, I ended up running. Running across streets, because you can't walk without risking getting hit, and dodging cars so you don't get bumped along the road by cars because there are no sidewalks in most of these spots.
Being a pedestrian in Nashville is as tricky for me as driving in traffic. I have never seen a city that is so car-oriented. No walk up ATMs at the banks...have to do business from your car. Also, I tried out a Sonic drive in--on foot. It took a few minutes for me to figure out that you can place an order if you walk up, so long as you're willing to eat outside if you stay. Otherwise, you drive up and order from your car. The burger was very good.
And yes, people have told me they go only a block or so for lunch by car...'cause I guess you can't do it on foot. I tried that and cheated death and injury a few times. So, I'm considering biting the bullet and doing the same. Thus, so much for losing weight from walking.
Being a pedestrian in Nashville is as tricky for me as driving in traffic. I have never seen a city that is so car-oriented. No walk up ATMs at the banks...have to do business from your car. Also, I tried out a Sonic drive in--on foot. It took a few minutes for me to figure out that you can place an order if you walk up, so long as you're willing to eat outside if you stay. Otherwise, you drive up and order from your car. The burger was very good.
And yes, people have told me they go only a block or so for lunch by car...'cause I guess you can't do it on foot. I tried that and cheated death and injury a few times. So, I'm considering biting the bullet and doing the same. Thus, so much for losing weight from walking.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Getting Around and Getting Along
I've been in Nashville six weeks now and still loving it. I am slowly making progress on making my apartment livable. I found a couple of furniture pieces at yard sales and did some creative purchases to come up with inexpensive options. For example, instead of a big dining table, I bought one of those personal folding tables and a decent looking folding chair, threw a tablecloth on the table and there you go--a mini dining space. I'm still on the lookout for a couple of other items that will help me avoid having to buy things you have to assemble. That's not one of my talents.
For a lot of folks who think of Minnesota, the standout is cold and snow. For me, besides the music here in Nashville, it's the traffic. I never thought I'd say this, but I almost started to miss the buses in the Twin Cities.
I just finished my first week at the job I'm doing and it's supposed to be a short distance. But, it's taken me 15-20 minutes each way during rush hour (and yes, people here say "that's not traffic" and I should be thankful). I've spent the first week trying to figure out the best way to get there and back. The commute home was interesting. One way I was stuck in the middle of an intersection twice on a red light because there are too many cars to always keep moving. Scary. Then I was forced onto the freeway on another route because two left turn only lanes appeared out of nowhere and I got stuck in one (if you aren't in the lane you need to be in out here, you're outta luck --there's no getting over). Even scarier for me. I got off the first exit I could and then spent 30 minutes bumper to bumper from the exit to the road leading to my street. Left turns are a crapshoot coming or going from my place or other areas where there's no turn arrow. So many times, I have to turn right and pick out a turnaround spot someplace when you can go left and spin around so you're heading right.
But, I'm learning. Believe it or not, my Geo is almost at it's second thousand miles since it got here (which would make it 17,000 miles).
Other than that, life here has been pretty seamless. The busyness I always had going on in MN is starting to happen here and the calendar's filling up. If I spend too much time reading the weekly listings of what's happening here, I can get overwhelmed. I have to remember not to book myself too much so I don't take time to rest.
For a lot of folks who think of Minnesota, the standout is cold and snow. For me, besides the music here in Nashville, it's the traffic. I never thought I'd say this, but I almost started to miss the buses in the Twin Cities.
I just finished my first week at the job I'm doing and it's supposed to be a short distance. But, it's taken me 15-20 minutes each way during rush hour (and yes, people here say "that's not traffic" and I should be thankful). I've spent the first week trying to figure out the best way to get there and back. The commute home was interesting. One way I was stuck in the middle of an intersection twice on a red light because there are too many cars to always keep moving. Scary. Then I was forced onto the freeway on another route because two left turn only lanes appeared out of nowhere and I got stuck in one (if you aren't in the lane you need to be in out here, you're outta luck --there's no getting over). Even scarier for me. I got off the first exit I could and then spent 30 minutes bumper to bumper from the exit to the road leading to my street. Left turns are a crapshoot coming or going from my place or other areas where there's no turn arrow. So many times, I have to turn right and pick out a turnaround spot someplace when you can go left and spin around so you're heading right.
But, I'm learning. Believe it or not, my Geo is almost at it's second thousand miles since it got here (which would make it 17,000 miles).
Other than that, life here has been pretty seamless. The busyness I always had going on in MN is starting to happen here and the calendar's filling up. If I spend too much time reading the weekly listings of what's happening here, I can get overwhelmed. I have to remember not to book myself too much so I don't take time to rest.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Promised news
OK, here is the news I promised you: I will be doing a monthly article for the Southern Gospel News.com website. . This website is one of the most successful in the Southern Gospel music field, featuring news items, articles by industry professionals, charts and forums. I'll be writing on one of my "expert" topics: being a fan. I'm very grateful to have this opportunity. My first one is called "Joys of Southern Gospel Fandom" and you can find it here: http://sogospelnews.com/index/articles/comments/7198/
And yes, there is news on the job front: I have a long term assignment for a company close to where I live, doing something along the lines of the last two tech jobs I had. It's been a great "vacation" but now it's time to start building a "normal" life routine. By the way, for anyone looking for a job, I recommend posting a resume on Monster.com -- it worked for me.
And yes, there is news on the job front: I have a long term assignment for a company close to where I live, doing something along the lines of the last two tech jobs I had. It's been a great "vacation" but now it's time to start building a "normal" life routine. By the way, for anyone looking for a job, I recommend posting a resume on Monster.com -- it worked for me.
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