Duke of Essex Polo Party: Players and Dukes

Mickey Norcross owner of The Sugarhut

Joey Essex from The Only Way Is Essex

I went to the Duke of Essex Polo Party last weekend. Besides all the muddy muck that swamped my pink designer stilettos, I had a lovely time. Could have had a red carpet entrance though. (heheh..jk.)It was my first real Essex party!

I have to say Essex broads and dudes are so much friendlier with a few drinks in them! Living in Chigwell, you come across a lot of snotty, uptight coke heads, but it was a really great time that evening for me at least. You still get that group of girls that don’t do anything but say what a terrible time they are having and stick their noses up at you. I have to say there were a few in my group.

I was mingling and chatting as my usual socialite self. I met a few T.V. personalities, who really enjoyed the fact that I was a New Yorker.  The music was pumping all night and the energy was high. The bartenders were on parr and the outdoor trailer toilets weren’t half bad.

I only had a band for the Players marquee, but security secretly gave me a band for the Duke’s Marquee. I was trilled and hopped from tent to tent. This will definitely be a party I will be attending next year.

Kirk Norcross from The Only Way Is Essex

Greenwoods vs. Five Lakes

Greenwoods pool facility

Five Lakes pool

I went to a Hen do for a close family friend this week at Five Lakes Hotel and Golf Resort in Colchester. It is in a town called Maldon. We were meant to have a tranquil and relaxing 2-day spa treat at a four star venue.For a £150 each, we got a room for two, a choice of facial, manicure or pedicure, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I chose a mini facial with ESPA products with a scalp massage. I thought it was lovely even though the other girls complained about theirs.  I guess I just got lucky with my lady.

Upon arrival, there was construction in the entry way of the hotel. We all know that is not a good sign from the start. Turns out, they were going under construction all around the hotel including the spa facilites. The ceilings were leaking and falling apart. There was drilling and hammering all hours of the day. Broken tiles and mildew in the showers, locker rooms, and the steam room. This was a ONE star facility.

There were many more things to complain about, too many to list really. We ended up complaining and they offered us a free day at the end of August when construction was complete which included lunch, a choice of treatment and use of the spa facilities.

I have to say having membership to one of the best gyms in Essex (Esporta in Repton Park) with the best spa and pool facilites I have ever seen, really makes everywhere else look like a dump. However, when I went to Greenwoods for a night, the facilites were far better quality than Five Lakes. So, if you are in the mood for a relaxing treat go to Greenwoods. It is a bit more expensive, but well worth it, and definitely a four star spa and resort.

The King William IV Pub Is Not The Only Way

On a sunny, Saturday in Chigwell, you can drive through the High Street  to find busy shoppers along Brooke Parade, children playing on the grassy knoll across the street, and Essex’s finest  in their Prada shades filling the patio at the King William IV pub.

My husband and my pup, Drake, and I  were looking humdrum and couldn’t figure out what to do on this beautiful day. We decided to take a trip down the street from our home to the pub and bask in the Sun on the patio and grab some lunch.

Upon arrival, we saw an adorable, black lab sitting quietly with his owners. Drake was trilled to meet another pup.  There were only a handful of people on the patio, mostly drinkers. A couple people were eating some lunch. We were please it wasn’t as busy as it usually is on a warm, sunny day after the showing of “The Only Way is Essex”.

I left my husband on the patio to look after Drake and I went inside to order. I stood in line for 15 minutes behind two other patrons who were also ordering food and drinks for outside. When I reached the bar to place my order, the bartender told me she wasn’t sure if they were still serving outside and that she had to check with the manager.

She went to retrieve him and he came over to me, grimaced and told me, and I quote, “If you want to eat outside it will take more than an hour. If you dine inside, it will take about 40 mins.”  I stood for a moment in disgust, and questioningly repeated what he said. He nodded his head and said again that it would take an hour or so for food outside.

I wonder why it would take more than 20 minutes to take a mere five steps onto the patio from the dining room? No explanation as to why, of course. So I told him, I would be leaving and going elsewhere.

I grabbed my pup and my husband and we left that RUDE place and went to the deli across the street.  They really should hire more staff if they advertise themselves on a program knowing swarms of people will want to dine there. FYI their service is not always served with a smile!

My Search for a Job

I leave to London in approximately 7 months and I need to find a job. I am leaving Tampa, Florida where I thought I would have tons of connections to get me a great job fresh out of college, but that’s not the case. So what now? Is the question that seems to boggle every graduating college student. I am thinking that eagerly searching online is the first step and checking to see if I have any useful connections to land me a job.

Let’s see I updated my LinkedIn profile, updated my resume, and signed up for Twitter. Today, I also browsed through U.K.’s Monster.com as well as the American Monster.com. I found nothing that would hire me with my lack of experience. I was unable to intern while in college because I had to work full-time.

Oh, I did however applied to  London Burberry through LinkedIn. I don’t have any fashion experience, so I doubt that would get very far.

Chipotle is opening up in London in April of 2010. At least that is comforting to me. I would really miss Chipotle when I left the states. It’s bad enough the weather sucks and even the residents hate the weather there, but the food won’t be nearly as delicious as here in the states. Maybe I should apply to Chipotle?

I am literally starting fresh in London, I know a handful of people. None that could benefit me in my field, I don’t think. Any suggestions?

Tampa’s Hidden Treasures-Classy and Cheap!

Shall we discuss some fun in the Sun?? Rather than how the government and big businesses suck or how awful it is to be in a recession!

So you have to work during your Spring Break while all your buddies head to Jamaica on a cruise or down to The Keys for S.C.U.B.A. Want to know some really CHEAP and peaceful getaways right here in our Tampa Bay area but still look like your dishing out the dough?!

Shoot down to these spots for a day…

ANNA MARIA ISLAND: White sands, crystal blue water and quiet. The weather has been getting warmer and Clearwater just doesn’t seem to be cutting it anymore. It’s about a few more minutes driving time but worth the extra gas. Set up in Coquina Park and grill out under the trees, and then walk a few feet onto the beautiful white sands and lay out in the sun.

Party Foul: No alcohol on the beach. (But post up near a restaurant and drink at the bar. Hey, at least you’ll be in the AC for a bit!)

Want to go somewhere even more secluded? Get away from other Tampans?

SEBRING: Absolutely nothing to do there, but a day by the lake will be efficient. Grab an order to go at the Panera Bread down the road, then have a picnic at the park with the beautiful lake view.

Party Foul: Lots of retirees. So don’t think you can do a keg stand and stumble around drunk screaming “WhOo!! Spring Break!!”

GINNIE SPRINGS: Rough it out in the woods! Enjoy the crystal clear springs, dive into the scenic caves and build a campfire with some friends.  The water is 74 degrees all year round! There is even a tree rope to swing into the water with..do you dare? Grab your food to grill out with at the local grocery store, rent a inflatable tube and float down the beautiful spring.

Party Foul: Lots of spring breakers, lots of cops too! So don’t try to sneak your buddies in your trunk onto the campgrounds..it’s a felony. Just pay the $15.

HOOTERS: Yes, Hooters! Did you know the very first Hooters is in Clearwater? If you want to take a drive down to your local beach, good ol’ Clearwater, stop by the original Hooters. Those girls will make you feel like your dining somewhere beachy and tourist-y. They have $3.50 wells all day and Snow Crab legs for $6.99!! So, grab a pina colada and some crab legs and don’t forget to say its someone’s birthday! The girls will have an entertaining treat for you! Take pictures with the girls and call it a day!

Party Foul: Clearwater beach is so overdone.

TRAVELZOO.COM: They have some really great deals. Airlines are giving away tickets nowadays! Book a flight out for a day or two to a city you’ve never been before. You can get flights for as low as $39 ( not including taxes and fees). If anyone asks what did you do for Spring Break, you can say you went to Houston (for a day)!
Party Foul: If you stay overnight you have to find a cheap room somewhere.

Even though you can’t spend the whole week lounging out in some tropical island, you can still spend a relaxing day without any money worries or traveling woes.

No Dan! You Are Amazing!

October 8, 2008

A Student: Shaking Biden’s hand was ‘amazing’

TAMPA — Dan Nguyen came to the Joe Biden speech this morning prepared.

In addition to wearing his Barack Obama T-shirt and toting a campaign sign, the 19-year-old USF student decorated his baseball cap. In white paint on the black fabric, he drew a remarkably accurate depiction of the senator from Illinois.

Nguyen said Biden’s speech inspired him, and he’d work hard to get more people to the polls Nov. 4. But the most inspiring part of all? “I shook his hand,” Nguyen said. “It was amazing.”

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden shakes hands with people in the crowd after his speech at the USF Sun Dome. (Michael C. Weimar, Times)

Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden stops for a quick photograph with people in the crowd after his speech. (Michael C. Weimar, Times)

This was posted on Tampa Bay.com, but what would have been great it they actually got the picture of Dan shaking Biden’s hand. I would have liked to get a glimpse of that hat. OH WAIT! Look at what I have…..

This is amazing, Dan!

True Blood: Sex, Drugs, and Vampires

The new HBO Series, True Blood, is the best drama series on television. It depicts what life would be like if vampires were to “come out of the coffin” or so the expressions goes. This takes place in present-day and vampires have been living in society for the past 2 years.

The show is such a big hit.  What makes it a hit, you ask? Aside from the pornographic subliminal images in the beginning credits, the provocative, intense attraction between Vampire William “Bill” Compton and Sookie Stackhouse, the murder mystery of a serial killer lurking in the fictional small town of Bon Temps, Louisiana, the nympho-tendencies of Jason Stackhouse and explicit sex scenes,  I mean what more do I have to say. Sex, drugs ( V-juice), and Vampires. This show is amazing. The characters are hilarious and unlike anything you’ve ever seen.

Some important characters:

Sookie Stackhouse is the virginal, quick-witted waitress at Merlotte’s who can read minds.

Bill Compton is the sexy vampire who comes back to his hometown of Bon Temps, Louisiana to start his life as a “mainstream” Vampire.

Jason Stackhouse, Sookie’s brother, is the male slut of the town who can’t get enough sex, is as dumb as a doornail and is also a prime suspect in the murders of two women.

Tara Thornton is Sookie’s black best friend from childhood and carries a torch in her heart for Jason Stackhouse and is a bartender at Merlotte’s.

Sam Merlotte is the owner of his own restaurant/bar in town and has a huge crush on Sookie. He also growls in his sleep. I believe their is some connection between him and the dog that secretly follows Sookie around.

Lafayette is Tara’s homosexual cousin who deals drugs including V-juice and also works at Merlotte’s as a cook.

Go to HBO.com to watch clips on the background of the show. This show targets all those technology geeks in love with science fiction and all the vampire lovers in the world. The website even has a blog site called BloodCopy linked to it. It describes the beginning of the story of how the vampires decided to go public once the Japanese created synthetic blood for medical reasons. This same synthetic blood vampires can survive off of, True Blood. Served nice and warm at 98.6 degrees. True to its taste.

The show answers all those myths on what can hurt/kill a vampire:

Silver                      TRUE

Garlic                      FALSE

Crosses                  FALSE

Holy water              FALSE

Stake to the heart   TRUE  (I think that could pretty much kill anyone.)

Sunlight                  TRUE

Other questions you might want answered:

Do vampires cry blood?    YES

Do vampires have heightened senses?   YES

Do you have to drain the blood of a human to the point of near death and then the human must feed off a vampire drinking large amounts of their blood in order to become a vampire?   YES

Is vampire blood a drug?  YES, it’s also know as V-juice and makes you “trip out” or hallucinate. You see life on a whole new level. Only consume a drop at a time…or bad things will happen. Sold for about $600 a vile.

Does sunlight kill a vampire?  YES, but very slowly. They do not just vanquish into dust upon exposure.

Do humans who have sex with vampires become vampires too?    NO, the only way to become a vampire is your blood has to be drained almost completely to the point of near death and then you must drink the blood of a vampire in large amounts in order to die and become immortal. Those who seek the companionship of vampires intimately are called “fang-bangers”. They do drink the blood of their vampire partner and the vampire does drink from their companion but that human will never become a vampire. Only if the vampire drains their blood.

Make sure you tune in to HBO on Sunday nights at 9 p.m. HBO runs the show repeatedly throughout the week if you miss it on Sunday. Check your local listings.

Exclusive! Tracy McGrady is Launching a New Fitness Website

TMac has started a new business project. Recently, he has recruited a handful of Harvard students to create a new fitness website where college and high school athletes can have access to professional trainers.

Elite trainers such as Gary Sheffield’s trainer, Micheal Pittman’s trainer, and even Tracy’s very own trainer, Wayne Hall. There will be instructional videos lead by them.

This website will allow young athletes to improve their diets, and workout regimens and even get professional medical advice if injured.

Underprivileged athletes who can’t afford the proper medical attention can have access to how professional athletes treat their injuries.

There will also be software programs that can help them with calculate if they are getting enough protein in their diets and tell them how to achieve their desired weight and build. All they would have to do is enter their body information.

All of this information will be accessible of course for a small price, the amount is still in the works but it could be as low as $5.99 a month!

This project is still underway and is still in the creation stages. On June 25, 2008 Tracy flew those Harvard students into Texas to discuss the project further and to see if they can actually accomplish his venture. I have to say from my sources that it is looking pretty good and we just might see this site up soon.

“One Man” for Change

 

Barack Obama has adopted a theme song, “One Man” by Jason Joseph for his campaign and I have to say it fits the bill. 

http://www.youtube.com/tedbea3

This video really touches my heart and I really beleive this country is ready for a change. Our economy is terrible and gas prices are ridiculous. I am sure everyone is tired of all the complaining. I know I am.

Upon watching the video, it pricked a hole in my heart but listening to that song sparked a new hope.  I truely beleive Obama just might be the answer to all of our prayers. He is really just one man, but he is one man that can bring about change for Americans. Just put aside your differences. We need to do something different, and we need to do it now.

 Jason Joseph, a talented musician, vocalist and songwriter. His style of music is described as “electic soul”: a blend of soul with a mix of hip hop, rock, and more.

Jason recently finished recording his solo studio debut, “Out of Mind: Side A” which was released on June 10, 2008.

http://www.jasonjoseph.com/