Wicked Awesome.

It has been an incredible past two days.



Yesterday was an average work day. Afterwards Tony and I went to Blue Fin to eat some sushi before Wicked at the Orpheum. Blue Fin was good, your typical average service, great scene, overpriced "sushi lounge."

Fabulous show. Even better the second time. The music and plot line are simply amazing. The set design, including safety features integrated within the show, were remarkable. Hearing the song "For Good" reminds me of the "people" kick I've been on lately. Being thankful for every experience, past and current, which would mean nothing without the people who have come and gone I'm my life. While the acting was fabulous, it was after the show that made this song really stick.

Just after curtain call the cast stopped to tell their audience about an organization called Broadway Cares, which incidentally funds a program in our own backyard here in Memphis, Hope Works. In an attempt to stop HIV/AIDS as well as provide comfort to those affected by it, they have been asking every audience to donate $2 each. They even offered back stage tours for a $75 and a signed poster for $50. Wow. How incredible. For a group of people to take time after they essentially just got off work (exhausted, sweaty, and ready to be away from people), to encourage us to donate to this organization was incredibly impressive. They even had some of the minor characters outside in the lobby with change buckets. Now it was officially the best show I have EVER seen. I was so incredibly touched.

Today, Tony and I got up early- and by early I mean eight in the morning- and headed out to the new Greenline Trail which opened just last week. The trail is a paved biking/walking trail that covers old railroad tracks stretching from Shelby Farms to Tillman Road, near the Republic Coffee. We had so much fun! What a neat adventure. This simple path stretching through the woods, decorated in their fall foliage. We had already parked the truck and Republics and moved to Young Avenue Deli for lunch- I always recommend the Sam I Am, yum! We hauled the bikes down to Mud Island and biked the length of the Greenway Belt and back through the neighborhoods of Harbor Town. It was so great to take in the morning light through that trail and then mid-afternoon by the river, what a sight! Not to mention I love simply adoring the homes of Harbor Town. They resemble Seaside, except they are on an island on the Mississippi. For those of you who have never visited Seaside, FL the film The Truman Show was filmed entirely in the town. Essentially picture perfect one or two story zero-lot line homes with a beautiful view of the river and a very homey town square featuring all local shops and grocery, even The River Inn. Make sure you have flood insurance though.

Now, as I sit here enjoying a slightly cool evening and finishing up my pumpkin carving, I can't help but wonder why I don't spend more days like this. Throw away every homework assignment and miscellaneous obligation and spend the day exploring my city. Which, surprisingly doesn't cost as much money as you would think. Tony made a really great point today about how we always relate having fun to spending money. We spent almost nothing today, except lunch and the pumpkin, and had the greatest time ALL DAY. Not to mention, we got a lot of exercise! We biked nearly 12 miles (roughly)!

I'm really tired of hearing people complain about having nothing to do, when we have plenty of things to do (many are free) around here, it is just we have become so narrow minded to sum activities into a movie, concert, or any other formal event or entertainment venue. The greatest times I have ever had have been free ones where I learn or see something new. I guess I have hoped to explore and share some other sides of Memphis that many people don't see often. There are too many people working to change our city for us to continue griping. We are still small enough for you to help mold this city in a way you like. I encourage you to get out to one of our great parks or bike trails or even just drive around and get lost for a while. You will see some great things and probably some sad ones, too. Either way I hope it changes you for good.