Sleigh wha?

Magnet #660 - Santa

Another one of those magnets I picked up in the middle of the night at a random CVS in North Carolina. I know. Sometimes, I just like to pick the randoms.

But, here's why I'm using this for today.

There's something I just don't understand. Granted, I was born in Chicago, and I grew up in North Carolina, and I've lived in New York for the last 15 years, so I guess I wouldn't really understand, but seriously. I just don't understand.

How. How, when you live in a place where on December 13 it hit the mid-80s, can you even think about celebrating Christmas? It's. Too. Hot!

Flip-flops and visors. T-shirts and shorts. The middle of December!

I've spent the day driving all around Tampa and St. Pete and Innisbrook, and there's Christmas trees for sale and Tis the Season decorations all around, and all signs point to Christmas.

But how can you even think about the bundling up for the sleigh ride, when it's in the 80s and you're blasting the AC, because you've walked 10 yards outside and practically melt when you get into the car? Or, sing about chestnuts roasting on an open fire? Fire? Who has an open fire? It was 69 when we got in from dinner?

I dunno, maybe it's just me, but I just don't get it.

A course is a course

Magnet #391 - Copperhead Course at Innisbrook

Today is the beginning of the Transitions Championship, played on the Copperhead course at Innisbrook.

I've been all over hill and dale of Copperhead, and I've been spoiled. The first time I was on it, the course was closed, so we had free reign all over. It was quite amazing.

I love taking the cart and just roaming around, even though I still can't wend my way through the back nine without getting lost.

Aside from the 13th hole at Thomasville Country Club, Copperhead might be the only golf course I've ever been on. It's private. It's superpretty.

Apparently, the pros like this course, because of the degree of difficulty.

Eh, I just like it cuz it's pretty.

Ready or not, here I come

Magnet #383 - Florida

(Caution, there be advertising ahead...mind you, none of the below thoughts/opinions/yada-yada reflect the opinions of my employer, my clients, etc., etc., caveatcakes.)

So, because of this story, the producer on our TV spot bought me this magnet. Very sweet. Thanks, Alisa!

It's hard to believe the last six months have passed by in a flurry, and we're down to crunch time.

We've all gearing up for the Transitions Championship next week, a PGA TOUR golf tournament held down at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club, outside of Tampa. It'll be the culmination of many long days and nights for most everyone involved, and I can't wait to see how it all pans out.

But, I'm not gonna lie, man. Sheesh. It's like I've never been away from home before, with the amount of prepping and packing and wardrobe buying.

In my defense, it's such an odd trip - it's clothes for staffing events/tents, clothes for play, clothes for client play, jammies acceptable to wear in polite company. You get the picture.

And my DVR's gonna miss me while I'm gone! I figured out last night, as I was ruthlessly deleting my stored shows, that just tomorrow and Friday, I've got ten shows on the docket. That's two Thursdays and Fridays - each! Twenty shows! Jeepers.

I'm hoping my luck holds, because I think I can fit something like 3o shows on my DVR. I think. Mind you, this yet another reason never to get HD, and another reason for hotels to have DVRs for their guests!

Finally, I've been toying with a theme for the next 12 days - should I do straight refrigerator magnets (no muss, no fuss, albeit odd organizations and businesses getting free advertising)? Should I do art gallery images (what? you didn't like yesterday's Whistlejacket, the cutest horse on the planet?)? See the thinking that goes on for joy magnetism?

Eh, in the end, I think I'm just gonna stay true to the joy magnetism mission statement. Random magnets. Random stories.

Signing off now. And, I'll see ya'll on the other side. Florida, please. Be kind to me.

(Mind you, I am totally sneaking away at some point for that scrumptious potato chip-encrusted turkey burger at Daily Eats. Oh. And a superearly morning breakfast at, yes, Dennys. Mark my words.)

Props to Big Al

Magnet #285 - Florida

On my way home, I picked this magnet up at the fabulous Tampa airport, because the gator just cracks me up.

I just spent the last few days at Innisbrook Golf Resort, where I learned to drive a golf cart like a pro, but still have never held a real live golf club in my hand.

On the fourth hole on Copperhead course, there's this fairly big water feature (heh, new term for me) with Big Al, the alligator. Someone showed me a picture of Big Al on Monday, and then I saw her myself in the exact same place the next day. But, I had convinced myself that the gator was actually just a stupid prop that the groundskeepers just moved from place to place.

So yesterday, I was driving one of the clients out on the course, rather blase about the gator prop, as we were approaching the water. He says to me, "You think it's a prop? Well, that's an interesting theory."

Just as we were passing the gator, just close enough to see her eyes, the darn thing was startled by our golf cart and hopped up and dove into the water.

Freaked. Me. Out. I slammed on the brakes, and we pitched forward, and all the while the client chuckled his ass off at me.

Yeah. Umm, Big Al.

Not a prop.

Oh, Minnie, you're so fine

Magnet #221 - Minnie Mouse

Blogging from the sunshiney state of Florida tonight.

From Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club.

No. I don't play golf.

Yes. It's weird, I know.

Go with it.

Down here on client business, and so far it's been a fun 24 hours. Yay, Tampa!

Minnie was the closest thing I have to Tampa...but no worries, I'm totally hitting the airport shops tomorrow. I like a little shop.

eta:
I just realized. I came to Tampa. But I never saw Tampa. And now I'm leaving. Huh.

BTW, found a supercute Tampa magnet. Whu-hoo! Doesn't have my name on it, though. That's kind of annoying.