Rants, Recipes, and Running

We went on a double date Friday night to a local hot-spot called the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema . And this did not disappoint. In fact, I would be elated if one of these came to Tucson! It's exactly what it sounds like -- it's a movie theater with a bar that serves dinner. I initially wasn't drawn to this, as usually the food available at movie theaters isn't very healthy and is way too over-priced. Typical Theater = $7 for a ridiculous-sized glass of coke to wash down the $8 butter soaked popcorn that is large enough to feed a family of 10. No thank you . Not at the Drafthouse, though! As you enter the theater, the first centerpiece is this bar with a huge selection of tap beers -- including many local brews. (They also serve wine and do have a full bar) I would call the vibe a little bit on the "punk rock"/eclectic side. It has a selection of punk music softly playing in the background, and it's just a different vibe from your typical movie theate...

Back when I was about 17-18 years old, I thought my life as an adult would be consumed by playing music. I assumed my Sunday mornings would be spent accompanying the church choir. Music was something I identified myself with. When I thought of "me".. music was something that came to mind. Then I went to college, moved to Tucson, got married, became a nurse, started working........and now when I mention to someone I play a variety of instruments...they are very surprised. "You?!!?"  It's really sad that it's become such a distant part of my life,  as prior to choosing to be a nurse - my 1st "major" in college was to be a music teacher. I miss it. Whenever we go to a play, talk about going to a Tucson Symphony Orchestra concert, or when I listen to classical music..I almost always get a little teary/weepy eyed. We happen to have an electric keyboard at home, which is something generously borrowed to me by a good friend of ours. But lately,...

So today's post is to talk about your 1st love. But before I get into that, I have news to share!..... My hospital called me Thursday evening at about 6:30 pm with the offer. And I got my 1st pick - Telemetry! At my hopsital their telemetry unit is a cardiac step-down unit from the ICU. So I will get to see some pretty sick patients, but no ventilators! I am very excited to get my skills expanded! :) Now on my 1st love.... I am proud to announce that my 1st real love was my husband. Prior to Ryan, I had never been in love. Nor did I even know what the meaning of love was. Never in my life had I committed or dedicated myself to anyone! It makes me happy to know that he is the 1st person and the only person I will ever share that bond with! But I will share the story of the 1st boy that had me "smitten". It was the summer before 8th grade....at the International Music Camp in Canada at the Peace Gardens. He was 1st chair in the band, I was 2nd chair. He had a real...

You may or may not know this about me. But, my passion is music. Once upon a time, I started taking lessons when I was in 1st grade. I kept this up until my senior year of high school. My teacher got me involved in several Piano Guild's and competitions. I even played for 2 weddings while I was in high school. Then I went off to college..... I had a music scholarship for trombone with the Wind Emsemble. This was great, but extremely time consuming. 3 hour rehearsals 3 times/week, plus sectional rehearsals 1/week. With nursing being the degree I was pursueing, I chose to quit band. Not having access to a piano, I just kind of let go of it. However, no matter what - upon visiting home -- my sister Lisa & I battle for "piano time". For we both have a strong love for playing piano! Well, for the past year or so - this "loss" has been hard on me. Seriously. Every week in church, I cry real tears. I miss piano so much. Well...... This weekend, we we...

The decision was made that we were due for a night out ! We aren't offically "members" of the group - but through the company Ryan works for, we always receive inoformation on a group called " Tucson's Young Professionals ". It's a group of people in their mid twenties - early thirties that his company hooks their new-hires up with. It's basically a networking organization throughout our city of various companies. They do individual events, and then monthy an event called "First Friday's" occurs downtown at the Art Museum. They have music, a bar, a cigar patio, "speed networking" and every month they exhibit some form of entertainment. The array of people there was interesting.I was expecting all...businessy people. (Wow, wise term.) But there was every profession from pharmacists, nurse (me!), engineers, models, personal fitness trainers, accountants, the list goes on. This Friday they featured " Urban Art ". I t...