No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem

40 Fans on a Bus...20+ Cases...Handful of Great Friends...2 Tickets...The 1 and Only: Kenny Chesney

As you may remember from way back in January, I mentioned Summertime 2009 would begin with Kenny at Merriweather and end with Kenny at Nissan.

Usually, it Don't Happen Twice that Kenny is in the DC-area in a 3 month span, so while we may be Living in Fast Forward, it keeps us Young to Live Those Songs.

From the top of the bus in Bristow, Virginia, here's to the last week of summer!

Image Credit: Emily Swanson

August 29, 2005

Four years ago a category 5 hurricane barreled across the Gulf Coast to make land fall at Category 3 strengths, ultimately becoming the worst disaster in United States history.

By that evening, 80% of the City of New Orleans was under water realizing the fears of what would happen when the 'the Big One' hits; devastation beyond belief, thousands dead, even more stranded on rooftops, the Superdome and Convention Center representative of everything that went wrong.

After recovering from the initial destruction, natives returned home ready to:

Rebuild neighborhoods
Define communities
Invest in local industries
Overhaul municipal infrastructure
Lobby for ongoing recovery assistance
Educate about coastal erosion
Support artists, chefs, and musicians
Revive traditions
Value, more than ever, the history of New Orleans

Be a New Orleanian - it's about passion, it's about resilience, it's about revelry, its about heritage - wherever you are.

Image Credit: Dirty Coast

Graham Cracker Sandwiches

Not sure if it's the birthday/frosting post from Tuesday, being uber-busy (read: stressed) in advance of our annual trade show at work, or because we'll be covered in shetland crewnecks/Patagonia snap fleece pretty soon and impressing folks at the beach won't be necessary for another 9 months, but I have been CRAVING a graham cracker and chocolate frosting sandwich.

While doing the post for Tuesday, I was surprised to find so many hits across the internet for "graham cracker sandwich + frosting" as I thought that was some secret my father had concocted with extra cake frosting. Sure enough, we aren't alone in the creation of this treat.

So pick up a box of graham crackers and a tub of your favorite frosting and say "Goodbye Summer" and "Hello Delicious!"

Crucial Commentary

I mention in the "About Me" of being a clothes horse and foodie (as evident in the numerous SGStyle and Southern Delights posts) and being a wanna-be scholar and sports fan.

In pursuit of a scholarly existence, AEV and WJR keep me apprised of liberal and conservative political issues, respectively. However, it's Emily's blog, Crucial Commentary that I turn to for insight into NFL match-ups: pre-game forecasts, implications of the game's outcomes and player rants and raves.

Having recently moved to www.crucialcommentary.com, check out her blog and let her know I sent you.

Image Credits: www.crucialcommentary.com

Chip Off the Ole Block

It's my father's 5Xth Birthday (a bit of discretion, eh hem) and as I prepped his present to be mailed and wrote the card, I started to think about all the tangential things I learned from him, including:

• Daily rituals: make the bed, close the shower curtain, watch the nightly news and straighten up the house before bed
• Wear a collared shirt and keeping it tucked in
• Appreciation for being near the water, both day-to-day and on vacation
• Cheer on the New Orleans Saints even when they are losing
  
• To try everything at least once
• Open a "house" checking account and create a monthly budget
• Proactively say 'Hello' to everyone you know, even recognize
• The importance of first impressions
• The value of family

And, because it's synonymous with birthday cakes,

• To love frosting!

It's from RJM Jr. that I learned to love frosting in all its forms - straight out the tub, as roses off the cake, slathered between two graham crackers or a Double Doozie from the Great American Cookie Company. Just the top of a cupcake or glazed sugar cookies, cinnamon rolls or donuts, it's one of the great things we have in common and an interest, love rather, I'm proud we share.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Image Credit: Google Image Search

SGTravels: San Antonio

Depending on when you read this will determine if I am networking with sales reps and other exhibitors, standing proud in our 10x10 in-line trade show booth, or en route back from 3 days deep in the heart of Texas at one of my member's National Sales Meetings.

The River City is truly a decent place for a convention: walking distance to the convention center and hotels, quaint, clean river winding through downtown with shops, restaurants and tourist traps galore and A-MAZING Tex-Mex within an avocado's throw of wherever you are standing.

Besides seeing The Alamo (check), eating at the famous Casa Rio, (check), a raucous night out (check, check), and maybe a Spur's game (no check), can't say I'd put this in the "SGRecommends" category as a pleasure trip, but certainly would if the opportunity presented itself for a business trip.

Ole!

Image Credits: VisitSanAntonio.com

The Jolly Trolley

This summer so many country songs are mentioning coolers - from Rascal Flatt's Summer Nights to Ashton Shepards' Sounds So Good to Jack Ingram's Barefoot and Crazy. And they keep bring back memories of my own cooler, The Jolly Trolley* and our adventures together:

"Cause there ain't nothin' like the sound
Of a cooler slushin' on the bed 'a yo' truck
And ain't nothin' like the sound of real country music
C'mon, turn it up
And I love to hear the whippoorwill singin' at night
And the crickets out in the woods
Ooh, (and) don't it feel so right
Don't it sound so good"

- Ashton Shepard

"She’s got her shades on and man, she’s looking strong
Mine all mine for the weekend
The cooler’s loaded down, we’re headed outta town
Jumpin’ off the deep end
Going barefoot and crazy, me and my baby"
- Jack Ingram

"Summer nights
Everybody, are you with me?
Let that igloo cooler mark your piece of paradise
Summer nights
Everybody’s feeling sexy
Holler if you’re ready for some summer nights"
- Rascal Flatts

* The Jolly Trolley was purchased in the summer of 2003 in Rehoboth, Delaware and fittingly named after "the original mass transit system" that shuttles intoxicated co-eds between Dewey and Rehoboth Beaches.

Image Credits: DAM

Who Could Ask for Anything More! Part 2

Image Credit: Vintage 4Runner Ads, circa 1988, purchased on eBay

Party Pants

When reading posts' like Maxminimus or countless others, I couldn't for the life of me figure out why I had no recollection of the term "GTH's" or "Go To Hell" Pants. And it had nothing to do with not having what they were talking about, as I've developed a small collection over the years (detail shown below):

However, it wasn't until our night out in Charleston when I was complimented on my "Party Pants" that I realized why I had never heard of GTH's - we never called them as such.

We love our Party Pants.

Not only do they set the mood for a good time whether at cocktails, tailgates, steeplechases, and/or summer soiree's but they let our friends, colleagues, women, buddies and enemies know we don't take ourselves too seriously and are confident enough to wear pink and green and plaid and our alma mater all over.

So next time you're about to pull on a pair of khaki chinos with that blue blazer and repp tie, consider putting them back and pulling out your Party Pants.

Here's a few of my finer moments:

Who Could Ask For Anything More! Part 1

Image Credit: Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. 1986 via eBay

Please Stand By

My apologies. On the heels of increased readership and traffic on SOUTHERN GENT, I have a string of lunch meetings and evening plans that has prohibited me from getting posts out on a regular M/W/F or T/T schedule.

I'll be back at it next week with:

• SGStyle: A follow up to Maxminimus' post HERE
  
• SGGear: The Jolly Trolley
• Misc: Vintage 198o's

Stay Tuned.

Summer Re-Reading

I've put myself on a rotation of fiction, non-fiction and classics this summer and its kept reading interesting and exciting whether it be at the beach, on a plane or in bed before lights out. The third part of my first rotation is To Kill A Mockingbird, which I probably haven't read in 18 years.

I am thoroughly enjoying it this time 'round and re-reading Lee's classic makes me wish I remember the discussions/assignments from back in Middle School.

What classics have y'all read/re-read recently that you've enjoyed? Which ones have been disappointments?

Image Credit: Mass Market Paperback

Southern Delights: Stuckey's

I mentioned it last week, but short of home by dinner time after a road trip, the next best thing is picking up a pecan log or divinity at a gas station that has the red and yellow Stuckey's sign.

Founded in 1937 when W.S. Stuckey opened a pecan stand in Georgia, Stuckey's reached it's peak of almost 350 stores during the 1970's before dwindling down to less than 100 under corporate neglect.

Today, under the tutelage of Chairman W.S. Stuckey, Jr. you can find stuckey's southern candy in over 200 franchises in 19 states coast-to-coast or online at www.stuckeys.com

Whether on the road or online, "Enjoy A Taste of [Stuckey's] Southern Hospitality"

Image Credits: Stuckey's