Friday, May 30, 2008

The great cookie binge 2008

It all started Wednesday morning. I didn't feel well to begin with, and being pretty sure the world had turned its back on me by lunchtime, I experienced a total grouch-fest/meltdown. There was only one appropriate action to take. I needed cookies. Not just any cookies mind you, but the buttery, rich, crumbly shortbread cookies that OMC used to keep in the glass jar on the counter. You know the ones, and I'm telling you, I needed those cookies like a junkie needs a fix. All day long I fought the urge. Of course, the more I fought, the stronger it became. I made it home and after eating a plate of spaghetti with some pretty questionable meat sauce, I decided I could make it at least an hour or two without those cookies.

Fast forward to late Wednesday evening (after church) when, with the support of my loving and understanding husband (who seeking to ward off the wrath of his dragon-wife and being bribed persuaded by the promise of a stop at the Starbucks next door), I walked out of Kroger with my large cloth grocery sack full of cookies. Trevor opened the car door for me (as he often does) and hadn't even managed to make it back around and into his door before I had ripped open that golden packaging with the plastic rack inside and devoured two cookies. Having promised our hero Trevor a stop at Starbucks, I figured the only thing that would make me happier at that moment than those cookies was a short, nonfat, (giggle) vanilla latte...and two more cookies...

That's four shortbreads and one latte. And one giant chocolate chip cookie I stole from Trevor's bag sometime between the two shortbreads and him shutting his door at.the.grocery.store. And that's not all. @_@ The shortbread tasted so good with the coffee, that I was certain I needed two more. Of course, by the time we got home, I needed something salty to balance out the sweetness of the cookie/coffee combo. So you're asking yourself, "Jamie, why wouldn't you just pull out the newly opened can of Pringles and pop a third of them into your mouth?" Good observation my darling reader...you know me all too well.

Binge count: six shortbreads, one latte, one giant chocolate chip cookie, 1/3 can of Pringles. You might think that I stopped there. And after one final (seventh) shortbread I did. For the night.

I woke up late yesterday morning as I often do, scrambled to get ready, and ran out of the house without breakfast. Don't worry, I packed myself an apple to eat once I arrived at the office, and a nice salad (with lo-cal dressing) for lunch. I also may or may not have thrown SEVEN shortbread cookies in the sack just in case the cravings returned. Sure enough, those little blond temptresses somehow managed to find their way into my belly - one on the way to work, two with the first cup of coffee, two more with a the second cup, and two more after lunch.

I think it was around 2:00 yesterday afternoon that while sitting in my rolly-chair, hovering over my trashcan and gripping my rumbling tummy, I realized the binge was over. Way over. #_#

All in all, the count came to 14 shortbreads, one giant chocolate chip, one latte, 1/3 can of pringles...all in less than 15 hours (8 of which were spent sleeping). Oye Ve! o.O I need some Tums.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

The wrong conclusion

This is Trevor writing. I guess I am the "nickels" portion of "pickles for nickels" since Jamie is green and delicious (in a non sensual way...or not) and I am overlooked and cheap. Some or most of you may know that while I am waiting for a career in music to unfurl, I work at the Opryland hotel (the Big O'land) in Nashville. Every Monday through Friday, 6:40 AM to 3 PM I get to greet guests and welcome them to this monstrosity of a hotel. For some guests this process is quick and painless. For others, it seems as soon as they drive by the "Welcome to the Gaylord Opryland Hotel, give us all your money sucker" sign they lose literally all common sense.

Today's tale starts with a yet another slow, rainy day in Nashville. We work outside but under a huge covering. It is almost like a tunnel with the hotel's spa above us, the main entrance to one side and a very nice brick wall on the other. We do have a nice breeze that blows through but we are very shielded from the elements. So just to recap, it's very rainy, very slow and we are under a covering so none of us are getting wet.

Enter safe Steve.

My fellow coworker Chuck and I were standing in the middle of our covered 100 ft. drive. I saw safe Steve inside with his friends. I saw Steve approach the huge wall of glass doors we have with his perfect glasses and curly gray hair and his guarded grin. It appeared as if He and his friends were headed out on the town. Steve had a light jacket draped over his arm and said something to his friends before entering the slow automatic revolving door.

I do want to recap just once more. It IS raining. We do work under 4000 or so square feet of COVERDNESS.

So safe Steve gets two steps from the revolving door, opens his hand up to the sky as if to receive a "low five", and without one glance up to our stucco ceiling comes to the conclusion that it is NOT raining. My friend Chuck and I took a second to gather our thoughts then looked at one another very puzzled. We then watched safe Steve go back into the slow revolving door and back to his friends to tell them the great but very wrong news.

I can't wait for tomorrow.

R.I.P.

Garity (2006-2008)

Last night we watched as Trev's first official Nashville band was laid to rest. Garity had a good run. They played a couple shows, made great music, and were even featured on the new artists to watch page in CCM. We knew their days were numbered however, and now it seems we've closed yet another chapter in our story. *

Only to start a new one! Tuesday May 27th also marked the debut of the new band, Be The General. Along with the name change comes intensified musicality, thought provoking lyrics and a kicky dance groove. Honestly, I cannot wait for everyone to hear the new sound. I know I'm extremely biased, but I'm also probably his toughest critic (not being afraid to tell it how it is speak the truth in love). Hearing the songs come together last night, I was blown away. I don't think I could be more proud. And not because he was up there doing what he was put on this earth to do, but because he did it with such excellence and ease. I've never been impacted by Trevor's music as much as I was yesterday in the 'Boro. I cannot wait to see what time has in store for the gentleman of Be The General.

Look for a new myspace in the coming days with updated pictures, hopefully a snippet of video, and best of all, NEW TUNES! I truly believe you will be pleasantly surprised.

And remember friends: people first, then money, then things, then JACKETS.

That's all for now,

Jamie

*We do still have a few Garity EP's available for $5 bucks each. Just let us know and we'll send one your way.

Monday, May 26, 2008

It's a BLOG!

As the Lubiens family (duo), we are pleased to announce the arrival of our new blog. It was a tough road and as Jamie attempted to remember everything from her typing classes, Trevor passed out on the living room floor. After 2 agonizing hours formatting and trying to pick a name, here she is.

Pickles for Nickels.
She might be made fun of in school.