One Enchanted Evening

On Friday, December 12th we had our company Christmas party. This year we reserved a banquet room at the Blockade Runner Resort on Wrightsville Beach. We had tasty appetizers, unlimited wine and beer service, roast beef and pasta as a main course along with a small salad bar and chocolate double decker desserts. Not to mention, the band I previously mentioned...Painted Man. Everyone was talking, eating, drinking, dancing just having a great time. We only had the ballroom until 11pm so afterwards some of us went to one of the local bars to continue our evening.

We stayed at the bar until it closed, visited, played pacman and asteroids, I had a lengthy conversation with a guy about politics while my peeps were egging me on for meeting a boy. After the bar closed, me and Jodi and her husband, the boss and his wife and one of our adjusters and his wife headed across the street to get some pizza. We got it to go, the boss (we'll call him Scott) scored us a taxi and we headed back to the hotel with our 'pie'. One of the couples headed back to their room (many people got rooms at the hotel...I was the only one that didn't. Afterall, I only lived 8 miles away) so the 5 of us remaining ate our pizza in the lobby and discussed the evening. Somehow the conversation led to Scott betting me $100 to jump in the pool (with my clothes on of course). "Your going to pay me $100 just to jump in the pool?" I said. Seriously, that didn't seem like a big deal to me. However it was a big deal to the security guard who walked with me out to the pool as he continuously repeated, 'I can't let you do that.' As I approached the pool I noticed there was a cover on it. At this Scott said, "Well, Leslie, I guess you will have to jump in the ocean". Now, jumping in the ocean increases the risk factor by 100% so either I was prepared to jump in for a greater dollar amount OR hang my head and back away from the deal. Just as I was preparing to negotiate with Scott he said, "hey Leslie, there isn't a cover on the fountain." I made my way to a fountain that was flush against the exterior wall of the hotel. I surveyed the situation as he repeated his bet, "I will give $100 if you get in the fountain, fully submerged". The fountain water appeared to be about 3' deep and there was plenty of room to step in, submerge myself and get out. So, I did what any intellectual individual living in today's state of recession would do....I took off my coat, my flip flops, stepped in, dunked myself, got out and said to Scott, "you owe me a $100".

Scott's wife came running out with some towels so I attempted to dry myself off as we walked back into the hotel. Scott and everyone were going off about how they couldn't believe I would do that....but really, was it so bad? I got wet, I can dry, I'm $100 richer. Where is the risk? As Scott dug in his pocket to make good on our bet Jodi had said something along the lines of "Leslie, you can't go drive home like this". Then Scott said, "you're not staying here?" I said, "no, I'm perfectly fine to drive home". Scott insisted that would not be allowed and told me to follow him as he led me to the front desk. He asked the attendant if they had any ocean front rooms available and proceeded to sign his John Handcock for an ocean front room for me to stay in. I was on cloud nine. I took the elevator up to my room, put my key in the door and didn't even have to turn on the light, just walked toward the moonlight.

The view from my room the next morning

The view through my room...notice my clothes drying on the table

I had to take these on my cell phone camera as I did not have my camera. I ran out of battery on my phone after this picture otherwise I would have captured the momentous sighting of my 'dunk for dollars'.

Dream a Little Dream

A couple of weeks ago I decided to watch a movie from my past...."Dream a Little Dream". I first saw this movie when I was a freshman in high school. I remember it clearly, it was a volleyball team sleepover at our coach's house. My friend, Kelly and I loved Corey Haim and I can still hear her today quoting one of his lines from the movie...."Hello Honey" (to be said with an islander accent). Anyway, another reason why this movie is so fresh in my mind is because it introduced me to the song that would become my all time favorite songs. To this day, "Into the Mystic" by Van Morrison has and remains to be my number 1....no song can top what that song does for me. Anyway, I begin to watch the movie and within the first couple of scenes I realize..."hey, that building looks like the one downtown (Wilmington)"....as I continue watching I realize that whole movie was filmed in Wilmington...huh, who'd thought that eighteen years later I would be living in the town that...in a way, introduced to me Van Morrison. I enjoy the symbolic-ness of it. Here is a picture I took of the building back in October when I was meeting my friend Crystal and her son David downtown.....

And here we are again....Thanksgiving morning.....it was a ghost town, and I loved it!

I still have quite a few pics of Wilmington I need to post...will try to get that done sooner than later.

It's a small world....but a long story

When I first arrived in Wilmington I stayed two nights...the first night, because I had just arrived and the second night, because I had decided to stay. My second morning in Wilmington (of my first visit, before I came back to find an apartment) I had decided to go to one of the local churches. It was a small enough church that the pastor had asked, "a show of hands, do we have any visitors with us today," and I, of course, threw my hand up like I had the winning raffle ticket. This brought attention to me, so that when service was over, I was approached by a couple of the ladies...one of them introduced me to Jennifer. Jennifer and I hit it off. She had asked me if I would be in town on Friday because her husband was in a band and they would be playing on the water front. I told her I wasn't sure, but she got my email address to follow up later in the week. And she did, bless her heart. I wasn't in town to go to the show, but when I did finally move and settle into Wilmington, I called her and she pretty much became my first friend here. A couple weeks after being here her husband's band did another show in town and this time I went. They are awesome. Turns out her husband, "Funky" LeRoy Harper, played in James Brown's band up until James past away (I believe in '06). He is an incredible sax player and the band he is in, "Painted Man" are a group of incredibly talented musicians. They play the funk, soul, jazz sound. Anyway....
I think it was the following week that I got the temp job I had mentioned in one of my previous posts. The temp job was suppose to be simply calling insurance policy holders for an independent claims adjusting firm on a part-time basis (4pm-9pm)...however, the first day on the job, God gave me an incredible gift of favor...I just happen to be standing around with a group of other temps as we waited to be directed and one of the guys working for the company owner asked me if I knew Excel...I said 'yes', as I helped him with a spreadsheet, the owner came in, saw me helping him and asked me, "so, you know excel and word and administrative stuff like that?" I said, "yes"...he said, "what's your availability?"...I said, "I'm available all day..." he said, "ok, this is what i need, I need someone to head up this whole workflow process...I need someone to be my right hand man...it will be crazy hours...all day, everyday....you think you can do that?"....after a moment of contemplation, I said, "yes". So began my 12-16 hr days/7 days a week. This only lasted about 2 weeks, then the work slowed down so was able to work a more regular Monday-Friday schedule. During this time I had relied heavily on Jodi (one of the company VP's) to help me with my questions and anything else that may have come up. One day Jodi had mentioned she had a hair appointment, being new to the area, and being (what i consider to be) prematurely grey I needed to find myself a good hair stylist...and FAST. So I asked her who she goes to and she emailed me the information. I had a chance to only glance at it briefly, and when it was time to go home I had forgotten about it.
The next morning, Saturday, I looked at my grey in the mirror and thought, "I have to get my hair done". Getting a good hair stylist at the last minute is next to impossible, but thought I would see what I could do. I couldn't remember the name of the salon Jodi went to and could only remember her stylist's name starting with a "T", but figured I would look online and see if something appeared familiar. And sure enough, "Beyond Basics", I remember the picture on their website. I called to see if there was anyone available that day to do a color and highlights. The lady put me on hold, then when she returned, she said, "I actually have an opening at 1:15 with Louise". I unconsciously made a slight moaning sound because, as I said previously, it is hard to find a good hair stylist last minute...so....how good could Louise be? The lady on the other end of the phone heard my moan and said, "oh, is that not a good time?" I said, "no it's fine, I'm just so apprehensive about a new stylist..." to which she replied, "well, let me tell you about Louise, she has been doing hair for over 23 years and is one of our more highly recommended stylists. The only reason she has an opening is because she usually only works M-F, but had to come in today for one of her regular clients so said she would stay to take care of you." It worked, my mind was at ease and I set the appointment.
When I arrived at the salon I asked the front desk gent if they had a stylist whose name began with a "T". He listed two names, both were men, neither were Jodi's 'girl'. So, I figured no big deal, hopefully I will be happy with Louise. Louise comes out and greets me for my appointment, I walk back to her station with her, sit down and started the normal get-to-know-your-client chit chat, from which I told her my friend Jodi recommended the salon...to which Louise replies, "oh, Jodi.." and I said, "oh you know her?" she said, "yeah, I do her hair, ".....gasp of disbelief, "WHAT? You're Jodi's styist? I couldn't remember your name so I was unable to request you." Low and behold....how crazy is that I ask you? Well, it gets crazier.

So here I am, working with the company now for about 2 months and I have been offered a job opportunity that would allow me to be hired on permanently with the company....providing I am able to do the job to their satisfaction. For the past month I have been in a trial period working alongside Jodi as a Recruiter (hiring claims adjusters throughout the eastern and central states). During this time, Jodi has been planning their company Christmas party and is looking for a live band. I tell her about Painted Man. We listen to their MySpace, and though she likes what she hears, and I of course sing their praise, we aren't sure if it's a band for the group that will be attending. So we continue on the band search. The week before Thanksgiving Jodi remembers that Louise's husband is in a band so she gives Louise a call. "Louise, what is the name of your husband's band?" And do you know what Louise's reply was? "Painted Man".....again, "WHAT?" Eventually we decide on Painted Man which means, I need to get a hold of a demo cd. I called Roy (Funky LeRoy Harper) last night to see if I could swing by and pick up a demo, he was on the road driving and said he would call me when he got home. After that I spoke with Jennifer, told her I just got off the phone with Roy and that I was going to swing by her house later to pick up a demo. She then informs me that Roy was coming back from Virginia where they played a show on Sunday night. Knowing that I said, "well, I can just pick it up tomorrow, I didn't realize he was coming back from Virginia". She then offered to bring it by my work the following day. Which brings up to date....today.
About 11:00 I get a call on my cell from a number I didn't recognize....I never answer those calls. But the person left a message, so I checked it...it was Gerard, Louise's husband. Roy called Gerard to see if he could get Jennifer a cd to bring to me. Gerard called Jen and Jen said that she thought I was getting my hair done today so maybe he could just give it to Louise. Gerard then calls Louise and asks if he can drop off the cd with her at work to give to me. Louise says "Leslie isn't coming in until Saturday". So, Gerard called me to get directions to my work so he could drop it off.
So....to recap the Cliche:
I know Jen who is married to Roy who is in a band with Gerard who is married to Louise who does my hair who I found out about through Jodi who I work with.

On Location....

I realize I am very much behind and may have lost a few readers, but regardless....as of yesterday I am working on a temporary project that has me working 12 hours/day 7 days a week for the next 3-4 weeks. Last night, when I got home from work, I discovered there was quite a bit of light coming from the alley that runs alongside my house and many people were gathered around in my backyard. I was curious, but too tired to investigate, so went inside. I settled into bed but the noise from outside was too loud to fall asleep, plus my mind was racing with my new assignment and everything I had to get set up in the coming days. I laid in bed wondering if I should call the cops...but it didn't sound like an out of hand party, just a really loud group of people and would rather handle those situations by going out and talking to them. But, as I said, I was tired.

So, tonight I get home around 9pm and there is a spotlight on the sidewalk at the end of the alley (where I parked) and looking down the alley there are more lights, a camera on a track, some people milling about, a guy in my back yard holding a 'boom' over the fence and a gentlemen walking toward me down the alley carrying a six pack of beer. I yelled out, "what are you guys doing?" He said, "we're filming an independent movie"...."really? that's cool, you've got quite the set up." He asked if I had ever been on a set before, to which I replied, "No" and he siad, "well, come on and take a look." I asked him if they needed a permit or something to do this and he said he wasn't sure, "we're kind of filming gorilla style and the producer lives in that house" (pointing to the house behind mine). Another guy hollared out to me, "have you ever seen a film on the monitor?" "Nope", "well come on over the tracks and check it out". So I hung out with the film crew while taping a scene for the Independent movie, "Half Empty"...if it ever makes it to publication look for it, cuz you will see my alley and my house :-)...oh....and it might be a pretty good movie. I stayed "on set" for about 45 minutes before heading up to my apartment.

Looking down at the set from my back porch

Not the best of photos, but I didn't want the flash to affect their filming and whenever I turn the flash off at night it does a slow shutter speed (I think) and I always get blurred results. One of my plans is to take a photography course when I get a bit more settled in. In the meantime, you are stuck with blurred night time photos. By the way, the guy carrying the 6-pack was the actor.

Wilmington, NC

Friday, August 22nd


I travelled from Asheville to Wilmington via Hwy 74 thru Charlotte. Did a drive-by tour of downtown Charlotte....that was nice and proceeded onward. Tip: don't ever take Hwy 74 out of Charlotte. The road-side strip malls, car dealerships, fast-foods restaurants and intersections drag on for about 20 miles beyond the city limits. Hence, it took an hour for me to get to a speed zone higher than 45mph.

Although, I do recommend Hwy 74 to be the chosen path into Wilmington, it takes you over Cape Fear and into Historic Downtown. But I didn't stop downtown at first...I drove straight to the beach...Wrightsville Beach, which is about 8 miles from Wilmington proper. I arrived around 6pm, checked out the beach and walked along Johnny Mercer's fishing pier.

Afterward I made my way back to Historic Downtown.

view of bridge over Cape Fear as seen from the Waterfront.

Voyager Carolina on Cape Fear (from Waterfront)

As I was strolling along the waterfront I noticed a crowd milling around a stage. There was about to be a live show, so I found a place on the steps where many others had staked their territory and asked a gentlemen if this was a festival or something they do on an annual basis. He siad, "no, they have live music on the waterfront every Friday night during the summer". AWESOME! For those of you who know me, know I love live music. Tonight featured, "Same as it Ever Was", a band committed to Talking Heads cover songs. I sat back and enjoyed the show.

from the steps looking out toward the cape; voyager in the background.
I actually think I took a picture very similar to this when I was in Hawaii.

Same picture with camera set on 'sunset' mode....still figuring out the camera.

band and crowd

I had checked into a hotel earlier in the day, so when I was heading back I was reflecting on the day in Wilmington. From the moment I crossed over Cape Fear I felt like this was a place I could stay. There was a natural small town feel even though there are 93,000 plus people living there. The layout of the town/city; the feel, the people, the character just absolutely made me feel "at home". I decided to stay a second night to check out the community some more.

On Saturday morning I woke up and drove downtown to walk around in the daylight.

residential sidewalk near downtown

waterfront walkway

alley from front street to water street

Chandler's Wharf along Cape Fear

This is just a door on an abandoned building, and I love it.

After downtown I spent the rest of the day driving around and getting familiar with the area, the neighborhoods and becoming more and more convinced this is the place I want to stay.

On Sunday morning I naturally woke up around 6am and decided to go to the beach. At 6:30 in the morning there were a few people fishing off the pier, a few people running, a few people walking, one man was taking photographs, one guy was sleeping and another was already in his beach chair lathering on the sunscreen. I sat and stretched, watching the sun rise over the ocean. Finally, a beautiful sunrise, I grabbed my camera to take a picture and...."need to replace batteries". But that is ok, because by this time I had decided Wilmington was the place and therefore, I would have plenty of opportunity to capture the sunrise.

With my decision to settle into Wilmington for a while I decided to go back to Durham where I could stay with Jenn while searching for a job and a place to live. However, my travels are not over....they have only just begun.