Crazy celebrity week

It seems like in the world of celebrities the week of June 22 started with the news of Ed McMahon dying.  Then came the news of Farrah Fawcett dying after a 2 1/2 year battle with cancer.  Although her death didn't really come as a surprise.  It seemed as if she was always making tabloid news with her battle every week. 

 

Then on the same day as Farrah Fawcett's news broke the biggest news broke.  Michael Jackson died of cardiac arrest.  The news would not officially declare his death until the hospital made a statement.  It seems to be one of those where were you when you found out, I was driving home from work trying to get an answer on news radio and of course you couldn't get one. 

I remember getting my first Michael Jackson tape for Christmas.  It was the Bad tape, I thought I was so cool, I also got a skateboard and a pink boombox that year. 

It seems to be a shame that Michael is getting more press for possible prescription drug addiction he had.  However, with as much media scrutinty he was under I'm sure he felt pressure to conform to a normal life.  Hopefully, he can now rest in peace.

After the sudden death of Michael Jackson, there was the sudden death of Billy Mays the infomercial king.  He most recently starred in Discovery Channel's show Pitchman.  He was always the annoying voice of Oxy Clean and many other products. 

And rounding out the week was the death of Karl Maldin.  He was in A Street Car Named Desire and Patton, along with the face of American Express during the 70s and 80s. 

Sauce Soiree

As a new way to experiment with food I decided that attending the Sauce Soiree would be a good idea.  The event was all the top restaurants in the St. Louis area and their specialities. 

We hit every booth and I think there may have been only one thing I didn't eat because it was raw scallops with beets.  Not a good combo in my mind.  

It was a fun night, lots to see and eat and drink.  Definitely, planning on going back to the event next year.

News Alert!!

I have completed a New Years Resolution!  I can't believe it but I actually have done it!   I finally got a new job!  I start on June 15th!

My new company is called The Growth Partnership, it's a consulting firmed based in St. Louis.  They focus on generating new clients, training and marketing for CPA firms across the country.

I'm very excited to start and can't wait to see what Monday brings!

Busy weekend

[caption id="attachment_176" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Theresa, me and Liz at Brew Fest"][/caption]

This weekend has been one of the busiest weekends in a long time, without going out of town or having a visitor.  Friday was Heritage Brew Fest in Forest Park.  Basically it was all local area brewers, A-B, Schlafly, O'Fallon...and you just sampled the beer with live music and some local restaurants serving food.  It was a lot of fun and I found that I really like the A-B Honey Beer and I still do not like dark, bitter beers. 

Saturday Theresa and I went to pick up our race packet from the zoo.  We decided that we didn't want to go to the gym so the plan was to walk around the zoo after we picked up the race info.  We parked next to the Jewel Box and hiked over to the zoo since it was a nice day parking was scarce.  After our hiking around the zoo we went to Amighetti's for lunch, why not enjoy a Special after a great walk. 

Later Saturday afternoon, Erin, a high school friend, Brooke and Austin came over to swim.  The weather was sunny but still a little too cool.  Over all it was fun to catch up on high school memories and watch Austin play in the water.

Sunday was a 5K Zoo walk.  I had done these in the past with my family and wanted to get back into the swing of things.  Liz, Theresa and I finished walking the 5K in about 50 minutes, not our best time but considering we had to bob and weave through the strollers and slow walkers that started in front of us, I think we did ok.  Our next walk will be a 5K during All Star Game weekend in July.   After the walk we headed over to the zoo for breakfast and a brief walk around the zoo before heading home.

On Sunday afternoon I volunteered with a group called FUEL  for the City.  The event was a house tour in Lafayette Square.   I arrived early to take my free tour of the houses.  It was interesting to see the houses that have keep the 1880s antique style versus those that have been gutted and completely updated to 2009. 

My job was a docent, my house was built in 1890s and had been through a fire on the third floor that pretty much destroyed it.  The current owners gutted the house and updated everything and brought back some of the 1890s charm.  It was a lot of fun being able to describe the house to everyone that walked through. 

After the tour was over everyone that participated in the neighborhood was treated to dinner at Sqwires.  We found out that the neighborhood association netted about $28,000 over the weekend.  Most of the profits coming from ticket sales from the house tour.  It was great to see the determination of the neighborhood to bring back the greatness that Lafayette Square once was. 

After all that I was exhausted and headed home to prep for my extemely short work week.