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2023 and Off to Knoxville
Jan. 2nd, 2023 09:57 amOn Thursday after I made the marmalade, Jameson and I chilled and had a nice dinner before heading to his friend Paul's for a New Years party.
It was a nice relaxed atmosphere; basically Paul puts a bunch of food and alcohol out and invites a ton of people over to his huge house, and everyone just mingles. No icebreakers or games, no background music or dance floor or TV. Just conversation and chill.
As an introvert, if I HAVE to be extroverted, this is my favorite extroversion format.
I shadowed Jameson for a while, but broke off a few times because the wine was in a different part of the house than the beer.
So every time I went to replenish my wine I met someone new, which was nice (though I won't remember anyone after just meeting them once, sorry!). At some point our friends Lea and Simon showed up, so we had a bit more of a rowdy time (both extroverts) and got caught up. The banana pup I gave them a few months ago is doing well, they were able to protect it during the hurricane. I brought them some caramels and a jar of "sunshine jam" to take home.
We were there for probably 3-4 hours, and had a really nice time.
---------------------------------------------------------
Friday morning we were both slow to get up, not surprisingly.
I took my non-preserved jar of jam outside for a photoshoot.
Mostly I wanted to see how the texture came out.
Turns out, it's the color and flavor of pink lemonade!
The texture is just right too.
I'm sure I'll enjoy it in yogurt or on cream cheese or whatever.
Really love the chunks of fruit and zest in there.
Not sure who will end up with a jar, but I'll start sending 'em out in January on the next layoff.
I had breakfast and typed up this post, then Jameson got up and went to the gym.
While he was gone I washed our bedsheets and worked on packing.
Priorities included more black yoga pants instead of jeans; reuseable washable Ziploc bags; Buc-ee's and Reptar pj pants; my crocheted stegosaurus hat; and a good portion of my Xmas candy.
Even with the caramels my luggage is at 45 pounds. Perfect.
When Jameson got back we had lunch, then I went to Publix for my last few New Years groceries.
Put groceries away, made the bed, dusted and wiped the kitchen counters.
Sent out my first Megan's Foodie Finds info sheet for the year, and felt gratified when someone said, "I've missed these!"
I meant to also clean the bathrooms and go for a walk, but felt tired so kind of lazed around under my burrito blanket instead.
Jameson joined me, we watched trash TV while he did laundry and later cooked dinner for us.
HelloFresh yogurt-marinated chicken with couscous and roasted carrots. It was delicious!
It felt good to be lazy today. Pretty soon things will be hectic again for both of us.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday. Can't believe I have to leave tomorrow.
Jameson went to the gym first thing, so I used that time to clean the bathrooms and mop the tile floors.
When he got back, lunch and then I went for a walk by myself.
It was overcast and sort-of quiet, but there were large family groups here and there walking dogs or unpacking into their vacation homes.
Down here people set off fireworks for major holidays; I expect it'll be a noisy night!
Back home I had a snack and practiced a little to make sure I won't sound totally lame on Tuesday.
We got our info sheet and schedule from Tootsie, and on Tuesday we're going to have a brush-up rehearsal starting at 11:30am, followed by sound check and the show.
This is the part where I get to say, "Told you so!" to everyone who raised their eyebrows at me for choosing to arrive in Knoxville a day early. The touring company had booked me a late flight into Knoxville on Monday night. I dislike cutting things close like that, so took the buyout instead to purchase my own flight.
Because which sounds better to you:
Option 1:
- Arrive in Knoxville 10pm Monday night, unpack as much as possible and go to bed
- Wake up early Tuesday morning to find breakfast, get something for lunch, and get groceries all before 11am
- Find the theater and start a full day of rehearsals and shows
OR
Option 2:
- Arrive in Knoxville at 9pm on Sunday, stay at airport hotel
- Wake up whenever on Monday, Uber to company hotel and unpack
- Have a full day to get groceries, have a nice lunch, find the theatre, explore the downtown, and settle in before rehearsals and shows
I'll take Option 2 even if it costs me more, please and thanks!
For the rest of the afternoon Jameson and I both sort of poked around, him gaming while I watered my plants for the last time and checked in on my sister Raven (her apartment flooded over the Christmas break) and stuff like that. At dinnertime Jameson made us another HelloFresh meal, a cranberry dijon pork tenderloin with potatoes and green beans.
It was very good, like all the HelloFresh meals have been so far! I loved the sauce on the perfectly-cooked pork.
It's my last home-cooked meal before I go.
We had some stale Christmas cookies and candy for dessert while Jameson gamed and I shopped for silly graphic tees and the neighborhood got louder and louder with fireworks.
We didn't really celebrate the new year...just noticed when the fireworks got especially loud, and knew that it was midnight, and wished each other "Happy New Year!" before falling asleep.
-------------------------------------------------
Sunday...here we go. Layoff over, time to get back to work.
I popped over to Publix to grab a bagel and an apple, my favorite travel day carbs.
Lunch with Jameson, just kind of chilling out together.
When it was time he drove me to the airport, and I thought we would hug and part ways and that would be that.
But when I tried to check in at the kiosk not only had my flight been delayed, the delay was also preventing me from catching the connection in Atlanta.
The kiosk offered me the option of booking a flight tomorrow.
I stood there staring at the screen with Jameson looking over my shoulder...reaching for the "Accept Changes" button but hesitating before pressing it. I just couldn't bring myself to "accept changes".
All that lovely preplanning to arrive a day early! Right out the window.
Plus, "accepting changes" in this case felt like it would just be delaying the same situation until tomorrow, you know?
Luckily a Delta agent saw me pussyfooting at the kiosk and directed us to the Best Delta Employee In The World, whose name is Sara.
She saw my situation and immediately tried to get me on a standby list for a flight leaving earlier.
It took her a VERY long time. Multiple phonecalls and probably 15-20 minutes of fighting with her computer.
Over the course of that time, feeling guilty for her monumental effort, I tried to interject to say, "If you can't make it work, that's ok!"
But she WOULD NOT HAVE IT. She waggled her finger in my face and shook her head.
"No! I'm GONNA get you on that flight!!"
Her determination was both admirable and scary, lol.
But you know what, she did it!
And so I thanked her profusely and hugged Jameson goodbye, got through security, and made it to my gate.
From there we had another delay on the runway, but I still made it to Atlanta with plenty of time to catch the next flight, which ran as scheduled.
Landed in Knoxville, where absolutely no Ubers or Lyfts were available because all of the drivers are college kids, who of course are home for the holidays. But I found a taxi, so soon enough I was in my hotel room.
I wrote Delta Agent Sara a glowing review, then considered how grateful I am that random people helped me today, and how glad I am sometimes to be an INTJ (a personality type that predicts outcomes and plans ahead as naturally as breathing). Sometimes intense preplanning is a disadvantage, but today it resulted in the best possible outcome.
-----------------------------------------------------
Now it is Monday morning, and I am relaxing in the airport hotel.
I have all day to get to the company hotel, unpack, and settle in before we start this very busy week.
Thanks, Past Me, for booking an earlier flight!
The rest of the band and cast should start arriving throughout the afternoon.
My plan right now is to walk to Three Rivers Market (a local co-op), from there to Kroger, find lunch hopefully at Good Golly Tamale, and spend the rest of the day unpacking and doing meal prep for the week.
Other Stuff:
I keep forgetting to post this about the Japanese Muscat and Kyoho grape jellies that I got Jameson for Christmas.
They come in packaging that looks like bunches of giant grapes. Believe it or not there are ten-or-so jellies in each one!
Each "grape" is enclosed in a balloon-like thing that you have to pop to get the jelly.
Before and after popping the outer wrapping:
You can use a toothpick to pop it, and then pick up and eat the jelly with the toothpick too.
Here is Jameson popping a Kyoho "grape" in slomo
(CLICK HERE to watch. There is a slight strobing effect due to the slomo, you've been warned):
I got to try one of each. The flavor was subtle and very nice...I actually wish it had been more strongly flavored.
But I think this is all about texture because that part was AWESOME.
It's kind of hard to describe...the grapes were chewy but delicate, and large enough that one would fill your whole mouth OR you could take bites out of it. Either way they were really fun to eat! Glad we got to experience these.
Also, my Buc-ee's swag from the holidays. Pajama pants, a t-shirt (I'd gotten that earlier in the year actually), a shot glass, a Christmas ornament, and a big yellow bumper sticker (not pictured).
----------------------------------------------
It was a nice relaxed atmosphere; basically Paul puts a bunch of food and alcohol out and invites a ton of people over to his huge house, and everyone just mingles. No icebreakers or games, no background music or dance floor or TV. Just conversation and chill.
As an introvert, if I HAVE to be extroverted, this is my favorite extroversion format.
I shadowed Jameson for a while, but broke off a few times because the wine was in a different part of the house than the beer.
So every time I went to replenish my wine I met someone new, which was nice (though I won't remember anyone after just meeting them once, sorry!). At some point our friends Lea and Simon showed up, so we had a bit more of a rowdy time (both extroverts) and got caught up. The banana pup I gave them a few months ago is doing well, they were able to protect it during the hurricane. I brought them some caramels and a jar of "sunshine jam" to take home.
We were there for probably 3-4 hours, and had a really nice time.
---------------------------------------------------------
Friday morning we were both slow to get up, not surprisingly.
I took my non-preserved jar of jam outside for a photoshoot.
Mostly I wanted to see how the texture came out.
Turns out, it's the color and flavor of pink lemonade!
The texture is just right too.
I'm sure I'll enjoy it in yogurt or on cream cheese or whatever.
Really love the chunks of fruit and zest in there.
Not sure who will end up with a jar, but I'll start sending 'em out in January on the next layoff.
I had breakfast and typed up this post, then Jameson got up and went to the gym.
While he was gone I washed our bedsheets and worked on packing.
Priorities included more black yoga pants instead of jeans; reuseable washable Ziploc bags; Buc-ee's and Reptar pj pants; my crocheted stegosaurus hat; and a good portion of my Xmas candy.
Even with the caramels my luggage is at 45 pounds. Perfect.
When Jameson got back we had lunch, then I went to Publix for my last few New Years groceries.
Put groceries away, made the bed, dusted and wiped the kitchen counters.
Sent out my first Megan's Foodie Finds info sheet for the year, and felt gratified when someone said, "I've missed these!"
I meant to also clean the bathrooms and go for a walk, but felt tired so kind of lazed around under my burrito blanket instead.
Jameson joined me, we watched trash TV while he did laundry and later cooked dinner for us.
HelloFresh yogurt-marinated chicken with couscous and roasted carrots. It was delicious!
It felt good to be lazy today. Pretty soon things will be hectic again for both of us.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday. Can't believe I have to leave tomorrow.
Jameson went to the gym first thing, so I used that time to clean the bathrooms and mop the tile floors.
When he got back, lunch and then I went for a walk by myself.
It was overcast and sort-of quiet, but there were large family groups here and there walking dogs or unpacking into their vacation homes.
Down here people set off fireworks for major holidays; I expect it'll be a noisy night!
Back home I had a snack and practiced a little to make sure I won't sound totally lame on Tuesday.
We got our info sheet and schedule from Tootsie, and on Tuesday we're going to have a brush-up rehearsal starting at 11:30am, followed by sound check and the show.
This is the part where I get to say, "Told you so!" to everyone who raised their eyebrows at me for choosing to arrive in Knoxville a day early. The touring company had booked me a late flight into Knoxville on Monday night. I dislike cutting things close like that, so took the buyout instead to purchase my own flight.
Because which sounds better to you:
Option 1:
- Arrive in Knoxville 10pm Monday night, unpack as much as possible and go to bed
- Wake up early Tuesday morning to find breakfast, get something for lunch, and get groceries all before 11am
- Find the theater and start a full day of rehearsals and shows
OR
Option 2:
- Arrive in Knoxville at 9pm on Sunday, stay at airport hotel
- Wake up whenever on Monday, Uber to company hotel and unpack
- Have a full day to get groceries, have a nice lunch, find the theatre, explore the downtown, and settle in before rehearsals and shows
I'll take Option 2 even if it costs me more, please and thanks!
For the rest of the afternoon Jameson and I both sort of poked around, him gaming while I watered my plants for the last time and checked in on my sister Raven (her apartment flooded over the Christmas break) and stuff like that. At dinnertime Jameson made us another HelloFresh meal, a cranberry dijon pork tenderloin with potatoes and green beans.
It was very good, like all the HelloFresh meals have been so far! I loved the sauce on the perfectly-cooked pork.
It's my last home-cooked meal before I go.
We had some stale Christmas cookies and candy for dessert while Jameson gamed and I shopped for silly graphic tees and the neighborhood got louder and louder with fireworks.
We didn't really celebrate the new year...just noticed when the fireworks got especially loud, and knew that it was midnight, and wished each other "Happy New Year!" before falling asleep.
-------------------------------------------------
Sunday...here we go. Layoff over, time to get back to work.
I popped over to Publix to grab a bagel and an apple, my favorite travel day carbs.
Lunch with Jameson, just kind of chilling out together.
When it was time he drove me to the airport, and I thought we would hug and part ways and that would be that.
But when I tried to check in at the kiosk not only had my flight been delayed, the delay was also preventing me from catching the connection in Atlanta.
The kiosk offered me the option of booking a flight tomorrow.
I stood there staring at the screen with Jameson looking over my shoulder...reaching for the "Accept Changes" button but hesitating before pressing it. I just couldn't bring myself to "accept changes".
All that lovely preplanning to arrive a day early! Right out the window.
Plus, "accepting changes" in this case felt like it would just be delaying the same situation until tomorrow, you know?
Luckily a Delta agent saw me pussyfooting at the kiosk and directed us to the Best Delta Employee In The World, whose name is Sara.
She saw my situation and immediately tried to get me on a standby list for a flight leaving earlier.
It took her a VERY long time. Multiple phonecalls and probably 15-20 minutes of fighting with her computer.
Over the course of that time, feeling guilty for her monumental effort, I tried to interject to say, "If you can't make it work, that's ok!"
But she WOULD NOT HAVE IT. She waggled her finger in my face and shook her head.
"No! I'm GONNA get you on that flight!!"
Her determination was both admirable and scary, lol.
But you know what, she did it!
And so I thanked her profusely and hugged Jameson goodbye, got through security, and made it to my gate.
From there we had another delay on the runway, but I still made it to Atlanta with plenty of time to catch the next flight, which ran as scheduled.
Landed in Knoxville, where absolutely no Ubers or Lyfts were available because all of the drivers are college kids, who of course are home for the holidays. But I found a taxi, so soon enough I was in my hotel room.
I wrote Delta Agent Sara a glowing review, then considered how grateful I am that random people helped me today, and how glad I am sometimes to be an INTJ (a personality type that predicts outcomes and plans ahead as naturally as breathing). Sometimes intense preplanning is a disadvantage, but today it resulted in the best possible outcome.
-----------------------------------------------------
Now it is Monday morning, and I am relaxing in the airport hotel.
I have all day to get to the company hotel, unpack, and settle in before we start this very busy week.
Thanks, Past Me, for booking an earlier flight!
The rest of the band and cast should start arriving throughout the afternoon.
My plan right now is to walk to Three Rivers Market (a local co-op), from there to Kroger, find lunch hopefully at Good Golly Tamale, and spend the rest of the day unpacking and doing meal prep for the week.
Other Stuff:
I keep forgetting to post this about the Japanese Muscat and Kyoho grape jellies that I got Jameson for Christmas.
They come in packaging that looks like bunches of giant grapes. Believe it or not there are ten-or-so jellies in each one!
Each "grape" is enclosed in a balloon-like thing that you have to pop to get the jelly.
Before and after popping the outer wrapping:
You can use a toothpick to pop it, and then pick up and eat the jelly with the toothpick too.
Here is Jameson popping a Kyoho "grape" in slomo
(CLICK HERE to watch. There is a slight strobing effect due to the slomo, you've been warned):
I got to try one of each. The flavor was subtle and very nice...I actually wish it had been more strongly flavored.
But I think this is all about texture because that part was AWESOME.
It's kind of hard to describe...the grapes were chewy but delicate, and large enough that one would fill your whole mouth OR you could take bites out of it. Either way they were really fun to eat! Glad we got to experience these.
Also, my Buc-ee's swag from the holidays. Pajama pants, a t-shirt (I'd gotten that earlier in the year actually), a shot glass, a Christmas ornament, and a big yellow bumper sticker (not pictured).
----------------------------------------------
