I had a blast on my trip to California. I visited Palm Springs, and even though it was for work - it was a fabululous time! I was there judging an All-Star Cheerleading and Dance Competition. Basically, I judged some amazing athletes (yes, they are athletes and I dare you to disagree), enjoyed a few breaks in the gorgeous sunshine, and then had some free time at night.
I arrived in Cali around noon (their time) on Friday. Upon my arrival, I was wisked away by many of my friends (who also work for the same company) to a little cafe that was having $3.95 All You Can Drink Champagne. Yes, you read that right. Now, I must disclose, this obviously wasn't Dom Perignon...but mix it with a little OJ and BAM, Mimosa Heaven! I won't tell you exactly how long we stayed there....or how much we drank.....or how much fun we had. Just know - we got our moneys worth and I am positive they weren't able to run that deal again for a while because we drank a few months worth of inventory. Oh you don't believe me? Well, here's your proof.
Um, yeah - told ya!
I went to bed super early Friday night. Thanks to the time change and the above mentioned "deal of the century", I was one tired girl. I woke up early Saturday morning feeling refreshed and ready to roll! This was the view outside my hotel room: 
(This Pic does not do this place justice. Think perfect weather, beautiful sunshine, palm trees, with a view of the mountains in the distance - and that's more like it)
Jealous? You should be. It was to die for.
Saturday night, the group gathered and hit the town once again. The highlight of the night occured at a bar we visited. There was live music and we headed up to the 2nd floor, which had a loft area that overlooked the dance floor and the outside seating area. And from that loft I saw the greatest thing I have EVER seen! For over an hour straight, I watched a homeless woman standing on a bench outside the bar SHAKE WHAT HER MOMMA GAVE HER! She danced all night long and the girl had MOVES! At one point she even turned around, grabbed the upper part of the bench and then provided us with the ultimate defintion of "jersey turnpiking". Note to my readers: Do Not google "jersey turnpiking" unless you are prepared for what you will find. She was having the time of her life! I loved it. Several people walking down the street stopped to dance with her. I wanted to join her, and possibly capture a video.... but the crew I was with forbid me to do so. Did they think I would embarass her or MYSELF? Let's not ask them :). It just warms my heart to see people enjoying life, no matter their circumstances.
Here is My friend Marion and I taking our annual "lay on the light up floor in the hotel and laugh hysterically like it's the first time we've ever done it" picture once we returned to the hotel:
On Sunday once I finished judging Day 2, we hit up the casino! I went in with $100 and swore on my life I wouldn't spend a dime more. I quickly threw away $40 at the quarter slots and had to walk away before I went all Chuck Norris on that machine. I then made my away over to the roulette table. I was the only girl at the table, and of course, my accent was talk of the town. Every time I'd say something, they would stare at me (mouths wide open) as if I was little green creature that just stepped off of the mothership. The Pit Boss even got in on the action jokingly asking, "So, you are from up North Sweetheart?". Once they finally were able to translate, we had a blast. I had played the number 30 every since I had first sat down. Side note: I was playing "30" because on my 30th Birthday Trip to the Bahamas, the girls and I won big on "30". We were convinced that meant 30 would be the best year of our lives. Everyone around us was convinced it meant that we were CRAZY! My theory was: It worked before...It has to work again. One of the guys at the table (who reffered to me as Lil' Country all night) questioned my adamancy about "30" and assured me that it NEVER hits. I advised him to keep his mouth shut (nothing like a little southern charm) and continued to place at least one chip on "30" with every bet. Eventually my stack of chips had widdled down to about 10. I decided to GO BIG OR GO HOME so I placed half my chips on red, and half on.....you are never going to believe this..... 30! I assured everyone at the table it was going to hit and they better get in while the getting was good. Two other guys at the table decided to entertain me by also placing bets on 30. The dealer closed the bets .....spun the wheel.... andddddd...... 30 hit! Oh my goodness, you should have seen us. We went CA-RAZY! I was hugging those guys as if we'd just found a cure for stupid. They couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe it. The dealer couldn't believe it. It - was - awesome! I won over $200 bucks on that one spin! I turned that $200 into $250 and then graciously walked away. It was a great time and it never hurts to double your money.
On Monday, I relunctantly headed to the airport and began my trek home. I was not set to arrive back in NC until midnight, but luckily arrived a bit earlier. After along day of travel, rude people, and overpriced airport food I was so glad to be back on NC soil. However, once I turned on my cell phone, I was flooded with notifications of texts and voicemails. I immediatley assumed someone was dead and began to freak out. After reading a few of the texts, I discovered that there was a standoff going on in my complex. A man, who had shot a cop earlier had barracaded himself in his apartment and had threatened he had a bomb. Needless to say, my welcome home party was quite the affair: blue lights, sirens, and a full fledged swat team. Shortly after arriving back at the complex they discovered the man had commited suicide and allowed everyone to go back into their homes. Thank goodness, the cop was not severely injured and no one else was hurt. This is horrible anywhere, but when it happens so close to home it kind of strikes a nerve.
Since I never like to end things on a somber note, I will let you know, that regardless of my homecoming, the actual trip was a blast. The people I judge with are like my family and when we get to see each other a few times throughout the year...we make the most of it. And seriously, it doesn't hurt that we reunite in some beautiful places like Palm Springs. Until next year California!
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