March Trenches

Can you hear that sound? It’s the distinct crack of a ball hitting a bat and the constant hum of chatter. “Hey batter, batter. Hey batter, batter.” Can you smell that fragrant bouquet of hamburgers grilling and peanuts boiling? Can you smell the freshly cut grass on the diamond? Can you taste that fabulous first sip of ice-cold draft beer mixing perfectly with the salt of the peanuts? Can you see that wonderful sight? That perfect white chalk diamond stands out like a perfect jewel in the sea of emerald green grass. Do you feel that stirring deep in your soul? That calling brings you back year after year to America’s pastime.

Baseball.

I love baseball. I always have. I remember watching the Atlanta Braves on TV and attending Houston Astros games while growing up. I love watching the players stand in the batter’s box, so tall and brave. I love the stare down between batter and pitcher, knowing the game is on the line. I love the bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, tied score. The wind up and the pitch. And another game is won.

I am an equal opportunity baseball watcher. If there’s a game on, I’m watching it. I’m not worried who’s playing; I may not even root for a team. I just want to watch. It doesn’t matter if the game is college or major league. I want to lose myself for a few hours in this great game. I want to stand and stretch in the seventh inning and sing along with another off key rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” I’ve rarely missed an opening day Braves game even if it meant taking a day off of work or calling in sick. That’s my day and it’s my game. Those old MLB commercials got it right. “I live for this!”

February Trenches- PoV

Move over Jersey Shore Mike, there is a new “Situation” in town.

I’m talking about my Christmas gift from my boyfriend John, a Wii Fit. It seemed harmless enough, this little unassuming white board, all clean and innocent. I was super excited about it. I had seen the ads of the slim, athletic people having fun and playing games, all while getting fit! That could be me too!

“Welcome!” the game says, dripping with sweetness, “Let’s get started!” I step on the balance board, ready to start my new fit life. “Hold still please.” Are you kidding me? I find myself talking back to the machine, arguing that I could be mistaken for a statue.

It then measures my weight and calculates my body mass index. Oh boy. I’m not going to share that with you, but let’s just say it then decided to make my Mii character a little more plump than I had originally decided it should be!

The Wii Fit then puts you through balance and mental tests to find your Wii Fit age. Well, I was born in 1980, but according to my new fit-making friend, I am 39 years old. Guess I need to adjust the number of candles on that next cake!

The supposed fun part of the Wii Fit is that you check in everyday and it measures you and lets you know how much closer you are to your goal with a congratulatory confetti shower. Or...you are left standing in the middle of your living room trying to make excuses for the 5.5 pounds you seemed to have gained between Christmas and the new year. My former friend makes you stand there in shame and choose an option that may have led to your weight gain. “Overindulge?” Yes. “Too much sitting around?” Yes. Is there an “all of the above” option I can pick and just get this over with?

Overall, I love my new present and forever fit friend. Just don’t ask too many questions if you come over and find me arguing with it. “These clothes do so weigh 7 pounds! I know I didn’t gain that much, all I ate today was king cake!”

January 2010 Trenches...

During my monthly procrastination rituals prior to writing this note, I stumbled upon a Word document in my computer called “Resolutions 2009.” Hmm … I wonder how I did?

• Start a workout regiment – not unless you consider the laps I do through Target a workout.

• Try ballroom dancing – well, I didn’t miss a single episode of “So You Think You Can Dance.”

• Cut back on my reality TV watching – see above. Oh, and doesn’t “American Idol” start soon? Thank goodness for DVR!

• Paint the living room – the paint colors are definitely still push-pinned to the wall. At least I know I want a shade of blue … or gray … or green.

• Read the classics I skimmed through in college. Umm … I finished all four books in the “Twilight” series in a month.

• Buy fewer pairs of shoes – no comment.

Perhaps I should just rename the document “To-Do List 2010” and try again. Happy New Year! May 2010 be your year!

December's Trenches

December means one thing to me ... Karaoke time!

My mother’s side of the family lives in various places throughout Louisiana and Texas. We get together for one weekend usually right before Christmas to celebrate.

Four years ago, my grandfather, the heart of my family, passed away. We knew the holidays were going to be rough. My cousins got together and got Nanny a special present, one sure to brighten her holiday ... a karaoke machine!

“What?” Yes, we gave my 80-year-old grandmother a karaoke machine! (She rocks a pretty mean “Redneck Woman!”)

Now, on a yearly basis, we gather around the TV to embarrass ourselves and give the younger generation something to look forward to. Everyone has their favorites. The holidays would not be complete without such holiday classics as “Old Time Rock and Roll,” “Walk the Dinosaur,” “Proud Mary,” “Mambo No. 5” and Uncle Charles’ tone deaf version of “Pump Up the Jam.” One of my cousins even wrote a family song to the tune of Robert Earl Keen’s “Merry Christmas from the Family.”

Christmas at Nanny’s really is the hot ticket in town. Stay on the nice list and you might just get an invite! “Na Na Sha!”

November's Trenches

NOVEMBER 2009

I’m on a boat! Well, maybe not yet.

I am going on a cruise. Talk about the power of peer pressure. A group of my seven closest friends has decided to book a cruise. I reluctantly agreed to go. This goes against my nature. I have an irrational fear of cruise ships. I have never been on one before, yet I feel a strong aversion to them.

I am afraid of pirates and icebergs. (Yes, before you ask, my cruise departs from New Orleans and travels in the Gulf waters that are projected to be a warm 80 degrees and are probably constantly patrolled by anti-pirate armed forces.) I am afraid of being seasick the whole time. (I can’t enjoy a hammock without feeling a little queasy.)

I am afraid of small confined spaces. I am afraid of large crowds. (We did get a room with a large window and I have studied the layout of the ship to ensure I know where all exits are.)

I am afraid of being quarantined on the ship when we return to port due to some strange tropical, digestive system altering virus. (Have I mentioned our cruise goes to Key West [part of the U.S.], and Nassau [it’s a five star resort]?)

I have decided I am going to face my fears, grab the Dramamine, and board that ship. Worse come to worse, I get off the boat and don’t get back on. I think I could handle taking up residence in Key West! I’ll send you a postcard!

The Vue from the Trenches

Each month I write an editor's note of sorts. It is entitled "The Vue from the Trenches". Very fitting, I assure you. I am attaching it here so you can see what I have been up to the last couple of months! Now that I am the editorial assistant, I am busy writing for PoV and have very little time left to write and blog about personal things. I am very sorry to anyone who actually enjoyed reading my ramblings! Feel free to pick up a magazine and check me out there!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

OCTOBER 2009

Hi! My name is Mary, and I am the new editorial sssistant. Some of you may know me from the marketing and sales side of PoV. I started with the magazine over 2 years ago selling advertising and writing a story here and there. This July I was asked to move over to the production side of PoV to help Bonnie on an everyday basis with the general running of Houma’s most popular magazine. Needless to say, I jumped at the chance!

Being raised in the South and knowing the importance of a first impression, I have decided to properly introduce myself to you ... PoV style!

15 THINGS ABOUT ME:

• I actually attended charm school. We walked with books on our heads, learned which fork to eat with and had a tea party for graduation.
• I am a bona fide slob and a pack rat.
• I have a very mischievous Papillion named Monty. If he would use his powers for good instead of evil, I think he could save the world.
• I don’t like making decisions. (I flip a coin, even at restaurants. I have an app for that.)
• I watch “Grey’s Anatomy” alone because I cry.
  A lot.
• I love to read! (I cry for good books, too.)
• I have an addiction to shoes.
• I find the word “potential” to be very misleading.
• I have never seen a James Bond movie.
• I have had gray hair since I was 16.
• When my 60 year old house creaks, it scares me. I may still believe there is a monster under my bed, too.
• I believe that chocolate and peanut butter belong together.
• I have broken my leg and my collar bone.
• I once set off the fire alarm in my apartment while boiling water.
• I am a worrier and an over analyzer

Dream Job!

Dear Readers,

It's been a long time since I updated you with the going-on's of my life in high heels. Plenty of things happening and times, well they are a-changing!

In the time since my last post, I have turned in my two weeks notice, left my job, cried, and decided to be a stay-at-home mommy to my dogs (who promptly fired me for laying in bed crying all day) only to be hired BACK at my old place of employment for what I can only describe as my perfect job.

Confused yet?

As you may have known, I was an advertising sales rep for Point of Vue Magazine. After 2 fabulous years, I came to realize that sales just wasn't for me. I love the networking, I believe in the product, all that jazz, but it wasn't in my heart anymore to sell. My deliema was that I love the magazine SO much! I am so proud of the Rushings and our first editor Justin Martin for what they have started. To see our first issue and compare it to our latest... amazing! We have come so far! Personally, I love being a part of such a big thing. I love the brainstorming for ideas, I love writing the stories, I love every aspect of this publication! Except for the job that I had been hired to do. I was giving 150%. In return, I wasn't sleeping, I was losing my hair, and what's left of my hair is turning gray at an alarming rate! (OK, so that part is probably genetics, but I hear stress doesn't exactly help!)

So after a long, hysterical (on my part) meeting with my bosses, I quit.

I had been gone for 4 days when my cell phone rang. It was Bonnie, my former boss. She told me she had a job opportunity for me! Thinking she had worked her magic networking powers and spoke to someone who was dying to hire me, I agreed to meet with her the following day so she could tell me about it!

Imagine my surprise when she told me that they had decided to hire an Editorial Assistant. WHAT!?!?!?! All the joys of PoV and none of the selling?? I'm SO in! But of course, I had to keep my cool and tell her I'd have to think about it. (Are you kidding me?!?!? YES YES YES!!!!) I went back the next day and accepted the job!

So readers, that is how I landed my dream job. I have been back for a month now. I am in love with what I get to do every day. I have so many ideas and I am so excited to see what the future holds!

Stay tuned!!