Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Searching for crab in Hampton Roads

I'm missing my family's reunion this weekend... an all day steamed crab eating and cold beer drinking extravaganza. Anyone know where I can pick some great steamed Chesapeake Bay blue crab around Hampton Roads?

While I like Dungeness, Snow, King, etc. crab, there's just nothing like Old Bay all over some succulent steamed blue crab.

Help!?!?

Sunday, July 05, 2009

HarborFest in Norfolk, Virginia

Bertel under "DeVine," a human-grapevine hybrid gyrating around Town Point Park!


Parade of Sail from atop Norfolk's World Trade Center:


The new Town Point Park and tall ships from the Half Moone Cruise Terminal:

Bertel and his Independence Day cupcake... his words, not mine...

and the pièce de résistance.... an outrageous dual fireworks show!

Saturday, July 04, 2009

Visiting our Congressman Glenn Nye and Washington DC

Jillian, me, Bertel (Bert XI), Bert and Representative Nye at the Capitol

Jillian and Bertel in front of the Capitol

The two Berts, Bert X and Bertel XI, at the FDR Memorial

Jillian and Dad pose at DC's Newseum (my fave - the museum of the news) at the front page of The Virginian-Pilot on Saturday, June 27th.

Bert at a section of the Berlin Wall, DC's Newseum.

The Big Backyard BBQ on Pennsylvania Avenue!

Jillian and Bertel rock-climb near the Capitol.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Can you eat 36 Hot Dogs? The Black Widow can!






Bert and I enjoyed watching Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas of Alexandria compete in Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest at MacArthur Center in Norfolk (blocks from our house) on Saturday, June 6th. The place was mobbed!

Thomas, 41, weighs 100 pounds and won the competition by eating 36 hot dogs in 10 minutes, earning her a spot in Nathan's Fourth of July International contest in Coney Island, N.Y. on July 4th. She crushed her 15 male competitors; second place was only 16 hot dogs eaten, a far distance behind Thomas.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Bertel's Blog


I'm proud to say that my stepson (nine years old) has taken a special interest in computers, graphic design, social media, etc. He's on Twitter, started a blog and talks to his Dad and me with Skype video. What a cool kid! Way to go!

Jillian's Videos

My 12-year old stepdaughter makes very cool music videos. She could show me a thing or two! Makes me proud to see such creativity...

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

SmartRegion.org



I've been a bit busy with several websites and creating a blog for my work at the Hampton Roads Partnership. Be sure to visit SmartRegion.org to learn more about Hampton Roads and sign up to receive the HRP e-News, too.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Your chance to be heard and learn how to get engaged!

Friday, February 13, 2009

Happy Valentine's Day

My honey sent me a V-gram!
awwww!

Missy "hearts" Bert, too!

Monday, February 09, 2009

Things For Which I'm Thankful


... sorry, I missed "Thanksgiving." But, better late than never.

My honey, Bert, first and foremost.

My family and friends. New and old, near and far.

My job and the opportunity to work with others who truly want to make a difference in our community.

My geekness; geek is the new "cool."

My job. Did I mention this already? With the walls falling down around us, we should all be grateful to have our health and our ability to learn and adapt. Sure, budgets may not be growing like they once were -- but hey, "flat is the new up." And for all those out there whose jobs may not be secure -- rest assured, this too shall pass.

Sunday, February 08, 2009

PolarPlunge.com

Hampton Roads really DOES have it all. PolarPlunge is for a good cause, Special Olympics. It's cold, but heart-warming. If you missed it, there's always next year...

Saturday, February 07, 2009

25 Random Things About Me, from Facebook

Friday, February 06, 2009

Honeymoon in Vegas, Helicopter Ride over the Strip

Thursday, February 05, 2009

It's spelled N O R F O L K, but not pronounced that way

Ok, watch this to the end: here's a NY student at ODU who knows the proper pronunciation!


Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Avenue Q came to Hampton Roads




We missed seeing the Tony Award-winning "Avenue Q" in NYC in 2008; go figure, it was sold out! But, luckily, we got tix during their Norfolk VA show.

In a word, "Avenue Q" is AWESOME! Sesame Street for adults! Loved it!