Absolutely. Without hesitation.

I could barely answer the phone today because I was too busy watching Steve Jobs at Apple’s Special Event. (You can watch it here if you missed it.) Ole’ Steve is an awesome presenter, and the mere fact that you can watch a live event streaming to your phone is amazing.

That alone would’ve ensured my 10 rating on the coolness scale — but then, I haven’t even gotten around to talking about product changes (this interests the gadget-queen side of Shelley), or product packaging changes (which of course, interests the marketing side of Shelley). Ten! And, another ten! The second the presentation is over, I refresh the Apple.com website, and there it is! Updated! New stuff!

I’m all set to order the coolest little Nano to replace my extremely old (a few months at best) Nano when Perry says, “Did you see the new Nano doesn’t have the video camera?” Whaaaaa? Are you freaking kidding me?? One of the coolest features of the OLD Nano is that it is so small, but yet it has this awesome video capability. I close out the window before I push the “purchase” button.

So here I am making this post and I pull in the screenshot photo that you see above. Steve Jobs standing in front of what? THE NEW NANO. Sheesh. It’s a conspiracy.

must. have. nano.
Even without a video camera.

But that’s not all that’s going on around here!

Perry has called in sick from work on Thursday. Do y’all really think he knows he is going to be sick in two days? Oh! And, he made a comment that it’s quite possible he’ll still be sick on Friday, if you can believe that!

Here’s my take on it — Scott and I are huge Colts fans; he’s a die-hard Bengals fan. So I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want to show up for work on a day his team loses to our team because he would be forced to listen to us gloat and rub it in. But now, after pondering the whole sick in 2 days thing, I’m starting to wonder if he’s afraid the Bengals will actually pull off a win on Thursday, and he would be fired on the spot.

So now I’m really concerned about how THAT scenario would play out in the workplace, and I figure I too am feeling a little puny. I will probably be full-blown really sick by Thursday too! And maybe Friday.

Tammy had yet to see Colette. The anticipation had been building over the past months and increased as she shopped for baby clothes, saw photos and had to cancel two previous visits. Ben and Amber arrive with the baby and Tammy is anxious. She is one big glowing smile as she snatches Colette to hold close and cuddle.

It’s not long until Colette spits up, passes gas and begins to cry. Ben and Amber start to twitch. Physically twitch. A perfect example of anxious parents accustomed to holding their baby when she’s crying. The degree to which they were uncomfortable was extremely apparent. But some have the ability to hide their anxiety. Like Scott when he saw his wife exhibiting her best professional baby-holding form.

The only other time I remember Katie actually posing for photos for me (pics taken while playing in a volleyball game do not count) was one Halloween night a long time ago. She was dressed like a pumpkin with a bright, orange hat that had a green-stem topper that bobbled around when she moved her head. She was pretty stunning then too.

But guess what? He was recently interviewed on the Today Show. Why? Because the attempted rape of his sister that began as news story, then set to a music video by the Gregory Brothers, is one of the most watched youtube.com videos EVER! The video I told you about on August 4th has been viewed over 16 million times, is #35 on the iTunes chart, and has made over $30k in sales — 1/2 of which goes to Antoine.

He now has his own website, sells t-shirts and more, and plans to use the money to move his family out of the projects.

Antoine — you are awesome. For real. Homeboy. Rumors are flying around the Internet -along with photos- that you’re a gay cross-dresser. Ok, so I don’t think I’m in love with you anymore, but I do still think you (and your story) is pretty darned cool. Run and tell that.

Isn’t that the most beautiful bouquet ever?
Peach, yellow and pink roses — and I can’t wait to see who the awesomest person on the planet is as I tear open the envelope…

Seriously, y’all.
I couldn’t make this up.

Brad Pitt loves me.
I sure hope Angelina doesn’t find out. Did you see her in Salt? Scary…

The scariest part is I’ll be expected to be “on my game”, and I figure I’ll be lucky if I can achieve coherent. I truly believe that “bending over backwards” is the biggest contributor to burn-out. This is the last time I’m going to agree to something even remotely like this. Maybe.

My only hope lies in the equalizer. Wish me luck!

I think Wednesday is just a day stuck in the week to remind us that Friday is coming. If it’s a really bad Wednesday, it only serves to remind us that the good times we had LAST weekend are over. Gone. His-toe-reee.

These photos were taken out of the car window simply driving along the countryside near Gatlinburg. Not one sprig of corn or soybean field in sight — the staple of all the mind’s eye images I have from the Ville. Even a plain ole’ hill makes for an incredible view when it’s something you don’t see every single day at home.

And something else fascinating? The Sevierville County Courthouse’s centerpiece is a Seth Thomas clock which is located in the 130ft tall tower. This clock’s cost was more than $1,300 when the building was constructed in 1895, and it’s still operational today. A little. Kind of. Not all that clear in this photo — but take my word for it — the times are not the same on all sides. So of course, I think maybe the times are different time ZONES — but that can’t be right either. Seriously, the MINUTES are off.

So what time is it, Sevierville?

(Reminds me of the Jimmy Buffet song, “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On” — they might consider just making all the clocks say the time is “NOW”.)

To say I had the same ‘ultimate experience’ as I received in time’s past would be a flat out lie. The real truth is, I was extremely disappointed. Upon check-in, the lack-luster hostess asked, “You want clean towels tomorrow?” What was she thinking? Did she expect me to say, “No thanks. I’d rather use the same wet, dirty ones I used the day before?” Next, I was handed a map to the cabin, 2 key-cards and was told to enjoy my stay.

Being from the Ville, we weren’t totally comfortable navigating our way up inclines that made the tires skid on the way up, or topping hills when you have no clue what’s on the other side — but are hoping there’s a road there. But hey, it’s Tennessee and that’s all good — it isn’t like Hidden Mountain Resorts is responsible for the terrain, right? But upon reaching the chalet and noticing cob webs all over the outside, stretching from the dirty windows to the porch swing, I started to get this icky feeling in my gut — one that proved to be accurate.

I think the photo on the Hidden Mountain Resorts website is a little deceiving (their photo of the Dolly House in the upper left corner of the REAL Dolly House). Dolly would really be disappointed y’all. For real. Inside was ok, but spend $100 bucks on a decent freaking coffee pot — one that makes coffee in under 30 minutes would be nice. Take a broom and knock down the spiderwebs from the walls and decorations. Put up curtains or SOMETHING so guests can block the morning sun from the bedroom, turn the hot tub’s heat on when your guest makes a reservation (c’mon now, you can’t call the front desk to send someone out to heat up the hot tub — by then, it’s too late to get in anyway), and it would be incredible if more than 2 jets were working in the thing. If this hot tub were a 10 — mine in the back yard would be at least a 45.

Funny, shopping at the outlets in town and striking up a conversation with the locals working there, they too commented on the current reputation of Hidden Mountain — even sharing stories with us from other shoppers who had similar tales of dissatisfaction. I guess my buddy, Alisa, has just been lucky. Or they like her better. Or something. I’ll be looking elsewhere to stay when I go back. That’s for sure. Upon checkout, I went inside to drop off the keys and the hostess flatly said, “thanks.” Of course she didn’t ask, “did you enjoy your stay?” My bet is she already knew the answer.