March, April, May, June. Where has all the time gone?

Let me just start off by saying WOW, time really does fly. I would add, when you're having fun, but seriously, time just flies, plain and simple.

Holy Cadbury Ice Cream Bar, Batman? Sorry completely random. Just saw a commercial for them.

Anyway :) I really can't believe its been since my second week in Bakersfield since I've updated this thing. I really did have the best of intentions. Then life happened. Well, work. Baseball season. And this took a back burner. Most of the people who read the first few posts are my friend on Facebook or follow me on Twitter so they've been able to keep up. I'll sum up the last few months anyway and try update here more often.

What's been going lately? I got sick for the first time since being away from home and only wanted to be back in Highlands where my mommy and daddy (or Jaclyn or Jace) could take care of me.  Where I could lay on the couch in my pajamas all day and have someone bring me chicken noodle soup and juice. It was a little depressing. It reminded me of that first time being sick when you're away at college, whose going to take care of you then? That roommate you've known all of a month or two. I get that I'm a grown up but sometimes all you want is your mommy. Turned out okay, I had some good people looking out for me! Sarah for one who drove me home when I nearly passed out at 3 something in the morning while chilling in the pressbox keeping an eye on the Boy Scout sleepover. And then my boss Liz who brought me medicine, juice, and my car the morning I actually called in sick. Thank you ladies!

Other happenings in Bakersfield...Well on the Blaze front, the team is in 1st place right now. It makes things exciting, especially with the first half winding down. Don't really get to see much of the games, since I'm working and all. But when I'm not being pulled in a ton of different directions its fun to watch. Sometimes I feel like mom's must feel when they're kids are calling them constantly. Instead of hearing, "mom! Mom! Mother," from every which direction, I get, "Julie. Julie! Julie, can you come help me? Julie, do you know where the skittles are? Are we out of pizza? The Coors Light needs to be changed," things get a little intense during the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th inning. Then again in the 7th. Speaking of the 7th, I still can't wrap my head around not hearing "The stars at night, are big and bright, (clap, clap, clap, clap) deep in the heart of Texas." It just isn't right, folks, it just isn't right.

Places I've been you ask.

Welp, went to a Clippers game. Good Times. Lots of fun. Overtime. Completely exhausted the next day.

Took a limo ride to Lancaster to see the Blaze take on the Jethawks. Kinda cool because 1) we took a limo 2) the Jethawks are affiliated with the Astros and we know I'll always be a loyal Astros fan and 3) I actually got to watch an entire baseball game. Oh, let's add, in all seriousness here, my food is better. Went to San Jose for a Blaze game. Again, lots of fun considering I was kinda sick. Again completely exhausted the next day. Don't think we should consider going that far away the night before we start a long homestand again. Probably not the wisest decision every. Ya live, ya learn.

Decided I still need to go to LA and do the whole tourist thing. Need to go to Disneyland. The beach. I know those of you that know me might be shocked by that last statement. Yes, I did say the beach. It isn't Galveston out here folks, so far, I just don't like Galveston. Corpus was nice. Cancun was AMAZING. Why wouldn't I at least give the beaches out here a chance?

Random things worth sharing, or not worth sharing. Getting hit on at the grocery store when you feel like crap tends to turn your day around. Getting hit on by people I don't want to get hit on, however, isn't cool. Namely, the Thirsty Thursday crowd or other guys I'm totally unattracted to. Swimsuit shopping will always suck. I love the fact that my favorite jeans were on sale a couple weeks ago, bought 2 pairs, had to send 1 back, too short. Latest addictions...Target and Pinterest. Someone help me please, I may need to join a support group.

Things I miss about being back in Texas. Blue Bell. Really is the best ice cream. Texas BBQ. Tex-Mex. Watching my brother play baseball, it's been alot harder than I thought it would be. Chilling with Jaclyn doing the random things Jac and I do. Talking to Erica, or running errands with Erica, we did that a bunch, Walmart, Target, Old Navy. Not being able to give her a hug when I know she needs it most and that's all I can really do for her. Going to the last showing of whatever movie Candace and I decided we just had to see. Why we always ended up at the movies that late, I don't know, that's just how it always worked out. Miss looking through coupons at my Grandma's house every morning, sipping coffee or looking at the paper with Grandpa. Miss talking to my dad about stupid stuff. Talking to mom about books, tv, and cooking. Stopping by HLL just because it's there and lights were on, so something must be going on.

Things I hate I wasn't a part of... Kristi's wedding. Christopher's wedding. Mother's Day. Bella and Cooper's birthday party. The kinda/sorta Holloway family reunion I just missed. Graduations. The Dazzler Tea at The Teapot Depot. There are babies I have yet to meet. Weddings I'm still going to miss. More birthdays.

Pausing to watch the "A whole new world" scene in Aladdin. Will return to regular programming shortly. "When we're way up here, it's crystal clear"

And I'm back...More major life events for the people I care most about. Houses, issues with kids, boyfriends/girlfriends, jobs, etc.

Now I've gone and depressed myself so I'll leave you with load of random life in Bakersfield pictures. Enjoy.

Random Astros stuff.

Astros Media Guide

Authentic Astros Shorts, thanks to Lancaster clubbie and a signed Jethawk bat, again thanks to Lancaster clubbie

Office Dog, until her "owners," came to finally get her. Still not 100% sure she belonged to them.

Random kitten we kept for the night.

 How many boys does it take to make hot chocolate? On a cold night at least 3. One to dump the hot chocolate mix into the cup, one to pour the water, one to stir.

Just another day in the office. If a pair of large jeans magically show up in the office what does one do? Have Megan try them on of course

If a large shipment of baseball maracas comes in for Cinco de Mayo what does the Blaze front office do? Builds a throne, duh

If Dallas throws away a perfectly good pot of chili, instead of only the one that needs to get tossed, what do they kids in the concession stand do? Make him a sign to wear that says, "I waste chili."

Commercial shoot day. Still need to put together the video from what I recorded on my phone. Thinking it should be to Centerfield. "Put me in coach"

 Made me think of my dad. lol. #5 and a sporting goods store. Why didn't he come up with this concept?

Panda Express has the corniest fortunes. Seriously, I think the one I got before this told me to wish upon a star or something along those lines

 Tried to make Jace believe I threw this fast. He didn't. Smart kid








Wish I had a really random picture to play "caption this with." Maybe that's what my entire next blog will be about.

Keepin It Country...Got the CMT Music Awards on (now that Aladdin is over)



Peanuts, Popcorn, Crack-er Jacks

Week 1 has come and gone. Week 2 is about to begin. I filled you all in on the drive to Bakersfield so here's the first post on my time here.

We'll start with last Friday only because I forgot to mention that when I went by the ballpark to tour the stadium I just happened to get to tour the clubhouse and Ken Griffey's office. Haha. Of course he wasn't there but, I was still in his office.

Anyway, first weekend in Bakersfield Mom and I did alot of shopping. I mean, I had an apartment to furnish. Here are a few pics. I'm sure most of you have seen them on Facebook but, here we go again.

Side note, I'm watching The Voice right now and the GPS in the car Carson is driving sounds just like mine. She got named Honey on this trip because we were constantly calling her honey.

Here's the pictures of my sweet little apartment. Hope you enjoy!

Kitchen & Dining Area

 Bathroom

 Bedroom. I'm still working on it. Come on, all I do is sleep there anyway. It'll get done when it gets done. My closet is organized at least. Makes my life easier.

What else. The living room. you got that pic in the last post but here's a different one for you.

And yes, that's a baseball scentsy and a vase full of baseballs. Had to do something with the dozen baseballs I found in random boxes while I was unpacking. Only three of them have autographs, and a few have a story. The rest of them. Not a clue why I have them.

And now to week 1 as the Food and Beverage Director of the Bakersfield Blaze.

Well, I have an office. No picture of my office sorry, didn't think to take one. I've got a desk, and my very own computer. A really comfortable chair and chairs for two visitors. I also have the office refrigerator and snacks. I do not have the nacho cheese dispenser or the coffee maker. Yes, I said nacho cheese dispenser, we keep one in the office. 

Life is pretty sweet sometimes.

Well, besides the fact that I get to make too many decisions. I mean, I have to make decisions on important things like, what kind of hot dogs the concession stand it going to serve this season. What kind of beer we're going to sell. Two really important things when it comes to concessions at a sports venue. I don't even have a food supplier yet. It's down to two companies but, I'm not sure which direction to go. It might be a little easier if either one of the Sales Reps looked like Luke (if you haven't heard about Luke, ask the girls at the tearoom about him, he's pretty) Anyway, I've gotta get down to business making all these choices, the season is going to start too soon. I also have to clean up the concession stand (which I can get the interns on) and figure out a menu.

Some days it gets a little, well, more like alot overwhelming, and I have my, why did they hire this small town kid who has never worked in concessions moments, but someone will say something to reassure me without even knowing they've done it.

So all in all I have to pick a food supplier, they need to get back to me with prices. I'm working on Cotton Candy, they haven't sold it the past couple years. I've got the peanut situation under control, with a sponsorship, go Julie. I've got it down to 2 different brand of hot dogs. I have a meeting with the Bud guy next week. I've got to call the Ice Cream guy, the Pepsi man, the Sara Lee bread guy, and call the Coors man again. I'm getting free plastic beer cups from this cool company called Concession Cups, you can check them out at www.ConcessionCups.com

What have I forgotten... Oh, I wanted something sweet the other night and the easiest cookie in the world to make is the 1 egg, 1 cup of sugar, 1 cup of peanut butter, peanut butter cookie (if you sprinkle in just a little flour they turn out even better). Anyway, I didn't want as many cookies as it made just laying around in my apartment so I took some to work, never had so many compliments on a cookie. Come on people, I'm pretty sure anyone can make this cookie. Then, the other night I took some sinus medicine hoping it would clear out my sinuses and put me to sleep. Sadly, it left me wired so I made my Grandma's Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies. I think they could've been better, Grandma's seem to taste better, maybe that's because she makes them but, they were a hit. Now, I'm making Banana Nut Muffins, the boys in the office jokingly requested Banana Bread, I'm more than happy to bake for someone, I'm bored. And, if I keep them in baked goods, I'm pretty sure I won't have to buy myself lunch. I haven't had to yet.

If you want to find out more about the Front Office you can check everyone out at www.BakersfieldBlaze.com on the About Us tab there's a Front Office section, if you click on any name you'll get a profile for that person. Everyone's there but me and Eric. Eric's the Director of Grounds & Operations. Don't see him much, he always seems to be in the shed or on the field. And, well, my name will end up on it. Just emailed Dan my profile, well some stuff, we'll see he does with it, and frankly, the longer my name stays off the website, the longer I have to make decisions without the Boosters making requests. Like me putting spaghetti on the menu. Who eats spaghetti at the ballpark? And seriously, thank God, it was just my first week or I really would've had to go to a Booster meeting this week. Luckily, Phillip felt where I was coming from and didn't want to throw me to the sharks after only being here 4 days.

I think its going to be tons of fun, but it'll be alot of work too. Its all gravy. I'll get it under control. I hope. Maybe once I figure out what all these keys are for.

Why in the world do I need keys to everything? Its not like they're going to leave me at Sam Lynn by myself. Even if they thought about it, I'm smart enough to make sure one of the guys will be there if I have to stay late. I'm sure I can always offer them some food to keep me company if I have to.

The U-verse guy also finally came out this weekend and hooked me up. Great that he was some nice, normal, all-American looking dude. Helpful, not creepy at all. I was worried it would be some creepy old guy coming to set my cable up.

Guess that's all. Any questions, just ask. Thanks for reading. If anything crazy happens I'll let you know.

Keepin' It Country tonight. lol. I'm cooking chicken fried steak for dinner. :)



And so it begins

Here's what you've all been waiting for. Who knows how long this is going to be? I mean really, there's so much to catch y'all up on. The trip out here and my first week at work. My apartment and well, I guess that's all. I'm sure I'll start to ramble, once I get started that's pretty much how it goes. I'll keep a few details to myself, although a few of you know those things (Erica and Candace) I guess if you want to know those, you know how to reach me.

And the adventure begins.

This whole new chapter in my life actually began a long time ago when I created my job profile on teamworkonline.com, seems like I applied for thousands of jobs. It was probably only 250 but whose counting. Finally applying for job after job, having phone interviews and getting turned down for everything the Bakersfield Blaze called. They needed a new Food and Beverage Director, saw my profile, and wanted to interview me. I guess they liked me because I'm in Bakersfield now getting the Concession Stand ready for the upcoming 2012 season.

Before I got my car loaded down I had several going away events. One of them wasn't even mine. We finally had Brittany's going away dinner with the tearoom gals. Great food at Monument Inn, pretty sure a good time was had by all. Then later that week we had my Teapot Depot going away dinner. It was really bittersweet. I've worked for Debbie and been a part of the gang since I was 15 years old. I would've worked there in some way, shape, or form for 10 years this April. Crazy how fast time flies. I've worn a ton of different hats and seen many employees come and go but one thing will remain the same Debbie, Philis, and Ms. Laura are part of my family now and I made a ton of lifelong (hopefully) friendships with the revolving cast of characters that have come and gone through those doors. I will cherish the things I learned there, they've help mold me into the woman I am today.

I also had a pretty amazing going away party with a ton of friends and family at my Aunt Lisa and Uncle Rogers' house the night before I left. Thanks Aunt Lisa and everyone else who helped organize it. It was great.

And thanks to everyone else who showed up to show me a little love before I left. For those who contributed to the "Julie's moving to California and can only pack what fits in her car and will have to buy new stuff when she gets there Fund" a huge THANKS. My apartment is shaping up.

I think all I really need is a blender, vacuum cleaner, a chair for my living room, and well a bed. This air mattress is really nice but, its not going to work forever. I just need to a mattress and box springs, a bed frame and then find a boy with a truck to haul it to my apartment. I'll cook him dinner. What boy can resist a home cooked meal? I'll even throw in some cookies or something.

I guess that sums up all the pre-road trip stuff. Well, unless you count me slicing my finger in two on a very sharp kitchen knife. It was in a box I was repacking, didn't know it was in that box. It finally stopped hurting a couple days ago. It's still pretty gross looking though. And there's all the stuff I left behind because it really wouldn't all fit into my car after all. Should've packed my trench coat and pea coat its been awfully chilly here in the mornings and after the sun goes down.

Here comes the real fun, Tuesday night, after saying goodbye to Jace, Jaclyn, Grandma, Grandpa, Erica, and Dad, Mom and I embarked on our journey to Bakersfield. Favorite Mom quote from the whole trip, "Don't know if we're Lucy and Ethel or Thelma and Louise but here goes" And we were off. We made it to San Antonio night one. Stayed in a hotel that was a bit shady looking but, it was clean and comfortable and it wasn't like we were staying long.

We hit the road early again Wednesday morning. Drove through the rest of Texas and entered New Mexico.

Texas

Oh what fun New Mexico was.

New Mexico



We entered a Safety Corridor, well more than one. Had to use Caution, because of possible dust storms, then Extreme Caution because of the same possible dust storms. I kept expecting to see a flashing DANGER sign all because of possible dust storms. It seemed like every 5 miles they were reminding you of dust storms. I get it. Its dry, its the dessert, there could be dust storms. I suppose its no different than Flash Flood signs in the Houston area. Oh and did I mention that our speed was being monitored by aircraft. I mean what was going to happen if I was speeding? Was an aircraft going to suddenly appear, like a UFO, we were in New Mexico after all, and land on I-10, just to give me a speeding ticket? Did I mention they drove the speed limit? Not even a little over. Those New Mexico drivers, bunch of pansies. All joking aside. It was a gorgeous drive. We even passed Fraggle Rock. Well, it was a big rock formation someone had painted "Fraggle Rock" on, but it made me think of my childhood.

Finally we made it out of the great state of New Mexico and drove into Arizona. First sign we saw there was one reminding us to "Buckle Up, Thank You". They're awfully nice in Arizona. They even put "Thank You" on the signs telling you that the road work has ended. It was a pleasant drive in Arizona. The roads were nice, the scenery was nice, the guy at the store where we stopped to get a map of California and something to drink didn't charge us for our map.

Craziest moments in Arizona happened when I was behind the wheel. First we went looking for a Dairy Queen, the GPS, bless here heart, told us there was one. I exited, ended up on this road, mind you its pitch black outside, that is full of twists and turns, and one dip after another. It reminded of back roads in East Texas. It was an adventure to the middle of no where! Dairy Queen wasn't there. We drove a little further and found another Dairy Queen. Of course it was closed for the evening, it was only like 7 but, they weren't open. So I got back on I-10 and continued the trip to Bakersfield. Once I was back on 10 traveling the same speed as everyone else, guardrails on my left and 18-wheelers on my right, I see this SUV coming up on me quick. Thought we were going to die. Then it whips into the other lane, almost hitting the 18-wheeler next to me, and comes right back into my lane, barely missing me. Not 2 seconds later another SUV does the same, then another, then another. The last three were all marked Border Patrol vehicles, the first one wasn't. If said Border Patrol Officers were after the first SUV couldn't they have turned on their lights. Would've helped my nerves a bit. Like I said, it was crazy! We stopped in Phoenix got a good nights sleep, got gas at a gas station that had self service and full service and stopped at Whataburger, my last Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit for a while. Sad!



Arizona

The drive from Phoenix to the California state line seemed to take forever but, we finally made it. Then the drive to Bakersfield was never ending. At the state line we got asked if we were bringing any plants or produce into the state. Of course as we're pulling out of the little station thing I pop off that I had a bag of pot in the back seat and mom reminded me the window is still down, hey it was funny, and its not like they couldn't hear me. Turns out mom smuggled an orange from San Antonio into the state in her purse. She forgot it was there. Oh well.

California

All looks the same huh? So once we made it to Bako our first stop was one of the apartment complexes on my list of places to look at. The only place that had something move in ready. Turns out it was perfect. Its a small studio apartment but its got this room divider closest thing which makes it more like a 1 bedroom apartment. The appliances are older but they work, and work well, the ovens calibrated correctly, its actually the temperature it says it is. I couldn't ask for anything better! The price was right too! So go me. We stayed in a hotel Thursday night, I moved in Friday, and I haven't tucked tail and drove back home yet. So, go me! This is turning out to be alot more than I expected for the first post so I'll leave you with a few random things and fill you in on my first week at work and post apartment pictures sometime tomorrow!

1. If you get the chance to make a road trip out here you really should its gorgeous

2. I always thought Houston radio was awesome but, they play a way better variety of country out here. Stuff I haven't heard but has been out for a while. Like one of my new favorites by Andy Gibson

 

and finally

3. I kind of wish I would've left it on whatever station was playing the Green Kimono song in whatever state we were in. Now I wish I knew what the green kimono song was all about. Or even enough of the lyrics to search it. All I remember is "she wears a green kimono" and I don't even know if that's right.

All in all it was a safe trip. We didn't get lost, didn't get pulled over, and made pretty great time. More on Bakersfield tomorrow.

Oh and real fast the title...

Streets of Bakersfield a la Buck Owens, since he's from here and all

Janell had a pretty good idea, I could make the stillnota_____fan, a family tradition. But that left me with too many choices. Do I go with a team from California? There are way too many. Or I could be stillnotaREDSfan, but since the Blaze are the high A team for the Reds, I was thinking that wouldn't be a good option. The ownership might not find it humorous the way we do. 

So I went with Keepin It Country. Sadly when making the page the address keepinitcountry was taken as was keepingitcountry so I went with keepnitcountry (no "i" no "g" just "n") Good times.

Thanks for the idea, Jake Owen. It was either Keepin' It Country or Settin' the World on Fire since I work for the Blaze.

Both great songs but, these lyrics fit better.

From muscle shows to Santa Rose,
From Bakersfield to Tullahoma,
From Baton Rouge up to Buffalo,
Anywhere that you might call home,

Doesn't matter where you are,
It's the same old stripes,
The same old stars,
The same old highways cuttin' across,
The same old moon turnin' on and off,
Cammed up Chevy at a traffic light,
With a pretty girl on a Saturday night,
And Willie Nelson singin' "On The Road" again,
Lookin' around it's good to see everybody out there,
Keepin' it country.

And thanks to the Blaze Front Office too. Country music is the music of choice more often than not. So I guess we're all Keepin' It Country!