Southern Hospitality is not an urban legend

This morning I was in line at Starbucks and there was a gentleman behind me. He was probably in his mid-fifties. The lady behind the drink station asked what she could get started for me, "a grande, vanilla, no water, chai, please." I pull out my wallet waiting to pay, and the guy behind me tells me he's got it. I notice he has a 50 in his hand. I tell him no, that's ok and think, "great, I'm in here in my sweats, he probably thinks I'm a hobo." (just kidding I knew he didn't think that) I tell him thanks and give him my Starbucks Gold Card so he can get the 10% discount and he orders his drink and a co-worker's. Again, I thank him and he says "don't thank me, thank Don. He's buying, he just doesn't know it yet." I walk over to Don and thank him for the drink he's bought me that he didn't know about. He says you're welcome and asks if "Steve" apparently that's the name of the guy behind me in line, bought everyone else's drink, too. "No," I say, "just mine." Again, he says you're welcome and I leave.

That made my day. There was no ulterior motive behind it, just a kind act. It makes me think of that bumper sticker that says, "Practice random acts of kindness." I urge you all to do so.

The night I met Jon Bon Jovi (also known as the Commander-in-Chief's Inaugural Ball

WOW!!! I don't even know where to start! Okay, here it is in a nutshell: My friend, Eric from high school, is in the navy. He does Naval intelligence outside of D.C. in Alexandria. He got invited to the ball and asked me if I wanted to go. OF COURSE!!! Okay, I know what you're all thinking: "You're a die-hard Republican." Yes, this is true. But, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, not just anyone gets to go to this. Also, this is the ball started by President Bush in 2005 to honor the military. I don't care if you're blue or red, the military deserves to be honored. There was no way I could turn this down. So, Monday I drove to Alexandria. It's such a cute town, and really not a bad drive, about 8 hours. So, Tuesday was the ball. It was at the National Building Museum in DC Not only did I get to hear the VP and Prez I met lots of celebs and had a blast. I got to meet Ann Curry and Megyn Kelly (let me just tell you, this was an aspiring journalist's dream!), Andy from the bachelor, Josh Groban and the piece de resistance: JON BON JOVI!!! Cross that off the bucket list (yes, meeting Jon Bon Jovi is literally on my bucket list, right after going to all 7 continents and starting my own charity). I was also on Fox News behind Megyn doing a broadcast from the ball. It was such a memorable night. We also got to see Smokey Robinson perform (love him!), Jordin Sparks and of course Josh and Jon. They also had this great 70's cover band who played a lot of disco and dance music. They even had a full horn section. It was so much fun. Definitely a night I will never forget. Eric! What a great friend!

Me and Eric

400 lb cheesecake

Josh Groban

The piece de resistance! JON BON JOVI!!!

The Prez

Megyn Kelly of Fox News

VP Biden and his wife

Ann Curry

Stage for the President

Andy from "The Bachelor" season 7

Green in NOT the new black!

I cannot stand the term going green. I think it's a fad and will eventually die out when Hollywood decides there's another cause that's cooler. I also think it's something we should always be thinking about whether it's cool or not at the moment. However, I have decided to be a little bit better about doing my part. The biggest thing (and yes, I do have slightly selfish reasons) is to use my own cup at Starbucks. I go there 1 - 2 times a day. So, I figure if I use my own cup that's over 700 paper cups I'm saving. The selfish part is you get 10 cents off your order. So that's almost $75 a year I'm saving! So I guess "going green" (ugh!) is saving me green.