Babies? I don't think so.

Hello world. Today was a more productive day than I thought it would originally be. My mom decided not to come home from her cruise yet and stop in Gainesville to see one of her friends, so Dad and I had another day to ourselves. My dad was oddly energetic and ready to get out of the house...I LOVED IT! He got all dressed up, (meaning a button shirt, not button up, but a shirt with buttons, non jeans as in khaki colored denim and his regular velcro shoes) and insisted on taking me to lunch and a movie. So where did he take me? Golden Corral of course... an "older person's" dream come true! I will admit that I wasn't very excited about this. Buffets, unless Chinese, no, I'm not being partial, because I'm partially Chinese, buffets just aren't my cup of tea. But if it was going to make my dad happy, then I'll just suck it up. So I got my belly full on a ton of veggies and a piece of carrot cake that wasn't half bad! I spent most of the time "people watching." This place is a JACKPOT for that. The little old ladies and men, straight from church...so adorable. We then went to Home Depot where my daddy pondered of Shop Vacs for about an hour. There is just something about Home Depot that I love. I love the smell of it. Even though I don't know what half of the things are, nor what they do, I always want to go in there and just "look." So I was "looking" and stumbled upon this....

Yep, it's like HOME DEOPT FOR CHICKS! Not sure why the wood is pink, duh, or why it's called purple, but I loved it anyway, so I had to take a picture. He finally picked out a vac, a RIDGID 12 gallon model, and we were on our way. We went to a little movie called THE BLIND SIDE... yeah yeah yeah, I know I'm behind the times a little but at least I saw it...KAPEESH? It was great, except for all that Nick Saban in the movie. Couldn't that have been edited out? Anyhow, there was rumors around that Sandra Bullock's character was stolen from Brittany's momma Terry.

I couldn't offer my personal opinion since I hadn't seen the movie, but now that I have...YES YES YES! They could be twins. They both are loving, caring people who just want to make the world around them a better place, oh and they are both beautiful BLONDES. They both inspire me to be a better person. LOVE YOU TERRY! So yeah, another movie = more previews of movies I may, or in this case, definitely will not be seeing. I'm not sure if everyone sees the same previews on movies but the "BABIES" preview came on and I was ready to run away. I mean, if they are going to fill the big screen with babies, a little warning please! Sheesh. Apparently the movie is about 4 babies, in different parts of the world. Ummm, doesn't sound too interesting. Maybe if the babies talked like on "Look Who's Talking," or even better, like the E*Trade babies... now that would be entertainment. But just babies? I don't think so.

So yeah, don't expect a review of that from me... ever. And no, not everybody loves babies. So the Grammy's are on and since music is one of my most favorite forms of expression, I'm tuning in. My obsession with Lady Gaga, Miley and celebrities in general also force my eyes and ears. Lady Gaga and Elton opened up with a fab performance. Beyonce singing Alanis threw me off guard for a sec, but I guess it sort of worked? Regardless she was looking HOT! Green Day and the cast of their American Idiot inspired broadway number was AWESOME and Taylor Swift was somewhat awkward. Pink was HOT HOT HOT! Saw her open up for Justin Timberlake a few years back and she did the silks there too, and dang, she is just HOT! Cirque Du Soleil should do a show around her! Lady Antebellum and Zac Brown Band were rockin' it Country style, and the Michael Jackson tribute was good. Love me some Celine! Bon Jovi is performing now and Jennifer Nettles from Sugar Land just ran on stage- LOVE HER! Bon Jovi has been promoting this "vote for a song" all show and DUH. Of course "Living on a Prayer" won. I love this song, but love it 10x more because it was Auburn's Football anthem in 2004 when we went undefeated. The band learned how to play it and everything. It still gives me goosebumps, imagining all of Jordan-Hare Stadium singing it in unison. WAR EAGLE MY FRIENDS! So the Grammy's are almost over and I'm tired of switching from Twitter, to The Grammy's, and back to this. I'm going to predict now that LADY GAGA gets Album of the Year. She already got 2 before the show even started.

You go, girl. Therefore, I'm going to say goodnight. GOODNIGHT!

IT'S MILEY!

I'm really starting to love this blog thing! Oh golly gee, damn you Rachel! By the way I had a FABULOUS time with you today! It was such a tease thought because now I miss you 10x more! We had a great day of shopping, movie watching, and sushi eating! We saw "When in Rome" with the hunky Josh Duhamel and Gossip Girl herself Kristin Bell. It was pretty good, just your average romantic comedy, but I was ready to get up and leave during the sappy parts! Haha, I guess I tend to get a little cynical at plots like that. I would love to meet one person who, half of the romantic plots happen to. The cast was great, though! Good to see my old friends Napoleon and Pedro in it! Oh, and "DANNY DEVITO! I LOVE YOUR WORK!" Haha, if you know me or the movie "Mean Girls," then you know exactly what I'm talking about. Anyhow the previews gave me some insight into what I may be watching later this year. The preview for SATC 2 looks fab and rumors of SATC 3 give me ants in my pants! Miss Miley Cyrus, whom I love, don't ask me why... I just do, will be appearing in SATC 2 and I'm pretty pumped about it! Yes, I realize that I'm 24, I'm just such a Disney aficionado. I like to think that I'm just young at heart! The new Disney "Alice in Wonderland" with Johnny Depp puts a bee in my bonnet! Anyway, Miley also stars in the new Nicholas Sparks movie entitled "The Last Song," and I think it looks good! I'm such a sucker for Sparks... you could call me a cry baby if you'd like... because I haven't made it through a Sparks book or movie without crying yet!

So yeah, I'm looking forward to that. We spent most of the day catching up about our lives and trying to figure out what we are going to do with the rest of our live, let's just say we didn't figure a thing out. We laughed a stupid amount of laughing which was much needed on my part, and hers too I think! We did however, figure out that we are much more alike than we thought... and I LOVE IT. Guilty. We are definitely going to chit chat more often, and she better come visit me in May! Though it took me a while, I finally figured out what sushi I wanted... while Rachel laughed at me, I decided on the DAT roll and the KAOS (pronounced chaos) roll and WHEW! was it spicy! but delicious!

Chad and I have been talking for a long time about making some sushi at home, and one day I hope we get around to it, because I just can't get enough of sushi! By the way, I'm really starting to miss him! I think 10 days will be the longest we have ever been apart and it's only been 6! Sheesh I'm such a wimp! MISS YOU CHAD!

He found the tennis shoes I want back in Austin and I can't wait to get back to get them and wear'em out! I haven't been keeping to my workouts since I've been home, but I have been walking and doing a little Wii Fit, so I'm not totally out of the game! My daddy went hunting today, he didn't shoot anything, but I think it was great that he got out of the house. He won't admit it, but I know he was excited about going, he hardly even slept last night. Every time he would go to bed, he would be up an hour later looking for boots, or a jacket, or something like that. He was so cute. Reminded me of the way I used to be the night before we would go to Disney World. I just finished up the Miss America Pageant on TLC, while eating ice cream, and it wasn't as glamourous as I was hoping for. Miss Alabama and Miss Florida didn't even make the top 15 and Miss Texas was out at talent so I didn't have any hometown heros to cheer for, so the rest was just for spectacle. Miss Virginia won. Meh, whatever. I didn't really think she was anything special, but I'm sure she will do great things. When I was little, I always wanted to be Miss America, I did a few pageants but never really got into it. I was top 10 in some pre-teen Florida shindig and I was first runner up, (first loser... haha..."If you aren't first, you're last! Hell, you might as well be fifth!") in Miss Fort Walton Beach High School. It was fun, but definitely not my cup of tea. My mom comes back on tomorrow, so I will probably spend the day tidying up. Man, has this trip flown by! I really wanted to make it to Mobile to see my beloved second family, the Lathan's, but it doesn't look like that is going to work out anymore. I'm SAD! I guess that means they are going to have to come see me! MISS YOU BRITT!

I am excited about The Grammy's tomorrow night too. GO LADY GAGA!!! She is so fabulous. I met her in Atlanta with my friend Sarah (whom I also miss terribly) and now I believe that we are all BFF.

So, enough rambling for today, going to go throw some laundry in the washer.

war eagle.

Thank you for being a friend...

So I didn't make it back last night because I went out for "Ladies' Night!" This isn't something that I do regularly, but one of my fabulous"BFF's" Jennifer suggested I come out and since my dad had already been asleep for an hour... I thought, "What the heck!" The weekly event is held on Thursday nights at McGuire's Irish Pub in Destin, FL. And let me tell you, this is the ultimate ladies night... no cover and literally FREE drinks...There may not be such a thing as free lunch, but there is a ladies' night. Though tired at first, I had a fabulous time with old friends, and a few new ones too. We stayed up pretty late and I guess I kept Chad up with some "miss you" text messages. SORRY! :( I honestly did think he was out too. Whoopsies! The night could not be documented because my camera was dead, but there were other cameras floating around and I stole this picture from Brandi's (a high school friend, second from left) facebook page.

Anyhow, woke this morning, had lunch with Jenn (far right) at Tropical Smoothie (YUM!) and headed home back to my dad. My dad has had a somewhat of an exciting day today. He was invited by his friend Ed to hunt at the Commander's Club on Sunday. He tried to back out last minute, but I convinced him to go so that he could get out of the house. So he went to the range today to sight his gun and then to a briefing, so I've been alone all day... So I again, applied for some more jobs and watched a little Golden Girls. Probably one of my all time favorite shows, and one of the greatest theme songs ("Thank you for being a friend...") Definitely gives the Growing Pain's theme a run for it's money!

So the weather took a turn for the worse today... it was somewhat sunny this morning, however it is now storming with thunder and lightening. Poor little Pete hates thunder, he hides under the couch. Bless his heart, he is too cute! Last's night dinner was FAB! I just finished the leftovers so it was great tonight too! My dad and I shared some oysters on the half shell as an appetizer, or an appeteaser as I like to call them!

I ordered the crab cakes and shrimp. I asked for the shrimp to be grilled and new potatoes instead of french fries, but I guess God decided I should have this instead. Waffle Fries, fried shrimp, and the crab cakes are under there, I promise!

I could only eat about half, but I love me some leftovers! It was delicious! Definitely going to have to put in a little more at the gym! Well Pete is shaking to death because of the storm so I'm going to go comfort him. Hope everyone had a fabulous Friday! I'm excited for my date with Rachel tomorrow... I think we are throwing in a movie! Nothing like a good romantic comedy hmmmm?

I'll let you know how it is! Now what to put on her mixed tape... nothing like a classic T-Clems mixed cd! Enjoy your weekend y'all!!

Oil of Olay

So, I'm having sort of a tough day. Not to go on and on about my dad again, but today we just have not been getting along. I've been dad watching again and it's been pretty much the same, only he threw in a nap today. All I want to do is help him and try to make things a little easier for him, but he just gets mad. I guess all I can do is let him be. If getting older means settling into a boring routine where no change is allowed, then I just won't do it! I can be young forever! That is what Oil of Olay is for right??

Speaking of trying to stay younger, one of my New Year's Resolutions is to get back in shape and to do so I think I need some new gear! My old tennis shoes were great but they are worn out and starting to cause some painfulness in my footsies. After lot's of research and some advice from Chad, I think I discovered the perfect shoe for me! The Nike LunarGlide+. I'm really into the "Nike+" system, and would totally recommend it to anyone! Here is a preview of what will be on my feet hopefully sooner than later!

Despite my hum-drum day, I did apply for some more jobs and I did successfully get a call about an interview! So I have an interview for next Friday! Wish me luck! I need to learn not to get my hopes up with every interview because lately I have been getting really upset when they find someone else. But not anymore! This is a new me and a new year! "If at first you don't succeed... try, try, again!" So cliche... but not a terrible motto to live by.

So half of my stay in Navarre Beach with my dad is over, and what have I done? Absolutely nothing. I thought that I would enjoy my stay more but I haven't seen any of my friends, eaten any seafood, or even gone to the beach. Instead, I have been cleaning the house and listening to my daddy's ramblings. Certainly not what I expected but good to be home I guess. I am, however, very excited about Saturday... One of my fabulous friends, Rachel, from Auburn thankfully lives somewhat near me and she is taking a road trip to come meet me in Destin for some sushi and catching up! I seriously cannot wait!

We are going to Harbor Docks and I have already picked out what sushi rolls I'm going to get... well at least I have narrowed it down. The "Destin" roll has tuna, avocado, green onions and spicy sauce and is one of my favorites, but I have discovered that they have a "DAT" roll which is the classic "Destin" and "Tempura" together... I'm talking a JACKPOT! The "Surf and Turf" and "KAOS" roll sound pretty amazing too! Decisions...

Can't wait to see you Rach!!! Enough about food, because now I'm hungry! I think my dad and I are going out for seafood tonight and I'm pretty fired up about it. We have a great little "hole in the wall" place here called The East Bay Crab House. They have AMAZING and fresh food there, it is a must have when I come home. I usually get the "Mai Thai Grouper" but I might give something else a go this time. 'Tis a New Year! I'm getting more hungry the more I think about it! So enough about food. Alright, enough with my rambling... that must run in the Clemons' blood too. I'll probably be back tonight. Peace out.

First Gear

Alright team, I know that it isn't February yet, but I am just flat out excited about this whole thing! Everything I see or do I think "... That would be great for my blog!" So today wasn't very exciting, but I think that I have finally come to the realization that my dad is getting old, and it makes me really sad.

His day consists of waking up around 8am, eating a packet of instant oatmeal and a whole grain pancake that my mom pre-makes for him, then he "Skypes" with his mother Ruth in Fitzgerald, Georgia. If that doesn't seem mundane enough, he knows exactly when the mail comes everyday, and will sit in his easy chair until the clock strikes noon, and when it does, he gets up, calls for our dog Pete and heads outside to retrieve the mail. Then he eats lunch, which usually consists of something random like a piece of sausage that he cooks in a toaster oven, sugar free cookies, and his huge 32oz Auburn cup of unsweetened tea. After he eats, he heads back over to the computer and sits there for hours doing God knows what... sometimes buying into some internet scam...bless his heart. I think he has just gotten to the point where he believes everything he reads and his judgement just isn't there anymore. It breaks my heart to tell him otherwise. I mean, he is my daddy. He is supposed to correct my judgement, not vice versa. At around 5 he starts making dinner.

Tonight he made a frozen burger patty in this "Presto Quick Burger" contraption that my mom bought for him, only he used it in the most unusual way. He had the heated part (which is supposed to be on top) on the bottom, then used the plate (which is supposed to lock in the bottom) as an actual pan on the heated plate (still upside down), he then used the plastic bottom as some sort of heat trapper cover? Anyhow, it took him 45 minutes to cook it, anything but "quick." I just stood there looking at the "thing" and looking back at him trying not to laugh. I felt terrible. After he finally finished he sat down to his burger, some Pringles, and his big tea. I thought I would give this "quick burger" a try. So I start playing with it and what happens? My dad starts yelling at me that I'm doing it wrong. He says that he has done this 9 times and it always works. I didn't have the heart to tell him that there was no way that was the way it went, so I let him set it up for me and on the burger went cooking... slowly but surely. I sort of lost my patience 10 minutes in and rearranged the contraption, which clearly all fit and locked together, and the burger cooked within the next 2 minutes. How do you tell your own dad that he has been doing something so wrong that it is funny? I tried to show him the correct way to put the darn thing together but he just didn't want to listen. I guess he was just being a "Clemons," unfortunately I'm the same way. Who likes to be wrong anyway? After all those shenanigans, he headed back over to his computer to continue whatever it is he was doing. At 7pm, he was off to sleep. I spent the whole day not only bored out of my mind, but wondering how he does this every single day. Does he not get tired or bored? Is he content? Whenever I suggest he do something, or get involved with something his reply is always, "I don't have enough time." How is it that he doesn't have enough time??! I could go on forever about my father and his ways, but I won't. I just love him so darn much, and after his accident in 2006 he just isn't the same. I guess I just miss the way he used to be. All I can do is accept it and love him just the way he is! Well, this all makes my day sound pretty depressing and boring, but it wasn't all dad watching... I took Pete on a walk and to get his nails cut, applied for 264,724,629 more jobs and watched a little of the State of the Union Address. Okay, that just made my day sound even more boring. Well I'm going to go send a prayer to Haiti and my friends and family, and hopefully i'll have a more interesting day tomorrow. 'til then, we will keep going in first gear.

New Year's Resolutions...

Okay, so it is January 26, 2010 and it is time to either throw my New Year's Resolutions in the sack, or into gear. I suppose I'm going to try first gear until I need to reverse and ask myself "What was I thinking?" Though the past year was pretty great and what not with falling in love, graduating and moving to a new place, Austin, Texas... it didn't end so well. I spent the latter half of the year jobless and miserable, and though Christmas was great, I had an unexpected turn of event's with the love of my life's mother in the hospital. Spending New Year's in the UAB Hospital Marriott, with gas station champagne definitely wasn't on my list of things I wanted to do, but that's life and the night ended up being pretty great because I was with the ones I love, so no complaints here. Enough about what has happened and onto what is going to happen. So the next day, New Year's Day, came along and I decided that 2010 was a new decade, and a good time for new beginnings. So I did what anyone would do on the first day of the new year... eat Guthrie's Golden Fried Chicken Fingers. What else better to eat while contemplating losing weight this new year? So along with the usual resolutions; lose weight and tone up, stop eating french fries (too late), and find a job... I figured out that not talking to my friends has had a real negative impact on my life. My friends and I have always been there for each other, and who was I to let graduating, marriage, kids, and relocation change that? Therefore, my resolution, along with all that other crap, is to stay better in touch with the ones I love. I began debating on how to do this and thought to myself..."Do I take 1898237485 hours a week to speak to everyone individually on the phone?" That actually wasn't a problem for me since I am "seeking new career opportunities," but then I thought, "well, everyone has a life except for me..." so I went ahead and crossed that off the list. Greeting cards were getting pricey, Facebook was losing it's luster, and I can't possibly tell everyone what is going on in my life in 140 characters or less on Twitter; so my next available option was e-mail. After this thought process, another process came along and I asked myself..."Does anyone even care about what's going on in my life?" So I did what anyone would do with access to Facebook and Twitter... I took a poll. I feel as though I got some pretty good feedback, and a great idea of starting a blog and I'm going to give it a go...Keys in the ignition and I'm changing gears folks! Expect the Season 1 Pilot to premiere in February 2010... Chinese New Year- Duh.