NASHVILLE: MUSIC CITY

One of my best friends from New York City lives in Nashville now, and I hadn't seen her in years. I was super excited to see Camber, but also to see this city of music, home to Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and the Grand Ole Opry. So by the time the city skyline came into view, I was beyond psyched. We began the evening with a trip to sushi and then a gay bar, Tribe, close to our hotel on Music Row. We passed a sculpture of people dancing in a circle that we vowed to return to for a photo op, but we found way more to do that kept us busy. My friend Camber retrieved me and took me to a local spot called Melrose, known for their burgers and beers. I tried neither but can vouch for the chocolate chip cookies which were warm, gooey and delicious. We embarrassed ourselves a little at pool and then left to do something we were better at - dancing! It was Latin Night at a club called Mai, and we did our best to keep up with the sizzling moves of the actual Latin couples. I had a great run the next morning, and saw some of the city's most well-known buildings. Union Station, the AT&T Building (better known as the Batman building), the Tennessee State Capitol building, Fort Nashborough, which is a still-standing wooden fort, and the Nashville Municipal Auditorium where we were performing. Later on our walk to the theater, we set out to get some coffee but wound up dashing into the Nashville Clothing Company for an impromptu shopping spree. Such an amazing place. We only had a few minutes to spend, but we knew we'd be back the next day during our time off. The arena was really cool with oversized ticket stubs from previous acts adorning the walls and silver beads dangling down from the ceiling of the warmup room. Our audiences were great, and my friend Camber brought a friend and her two young daughters to the evening show. The girls were decked out in sequins and pink, and they were dancing in the aisles and smiling the whole time. Afterwards, they ran up to me with flowers and fawned over me like I was Elvis. It was incredibly sweet and reminded me how much I love what I do. After the shows, we dolled up and hit the town. Joel, Camber, her sister Blossom, their friend Rob and I all devoured some tasty Mexican food and then headed downtown. We hit the honkytonk bars hard - that's what we came for. When there was no room on the floor to dance, we danced on the tables. We tried the fireball shots which are apparently as indigenous to Nashville as honkytonk. The music was fantastic, and the dancing was a blast. At the end of the night, we ran into one restaurant past the bouncer because we heard "Take Me Home Country Roads" playing and had to dance. When the song was over, we went home. Our day off was the best. We loaded up on free breakfast at the hotel and then returned to the Nashville Clothing Company. It was just me and Joel, and an immaculately dressed gentleman who worked there. He spent about an hour helping each of us put together an awesome outfit for the day (both happened to be lime green). We also went into a store that just opened called Bullets and Mullets. I got the most amazing sequined owl headband, and Hooty and I have been inseparable ever since. We met up with some friends for brunch to celebrate Joe's birthday. We went to a place called Marche in East Nashville, which is an area similar to Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and they served a delicious brunch. It was the first true brunch I've had on tour, and it was incredible. I had couscous with a million flavorful vegetables, and a few bites from several desserts, one more mouthwatering then the next.

We did a bit more shopping in a really cool part of Nashville called Hillsboro Village at a place called Posh. I found a green and gold silk jumper on sale that was perfect for our fancy outing that evening. Our destination was called the Patterson House. Every local we'd encountered raved about it, but warned us we had to get dressed up, and there was no standing permitted. Patterson House is an old house, hidden from view, and sure enough, there was a hostess at the door in front of a curtain shielding the bar from us. The menu is like nothing you've ever seen; each cocktail is a complex and unique combination of fresh ingredients, and the mixologists look and act more like pharmacists than bartenders. They are meticulous and serious about their creations. I had a beverage that tasted exactly like pumpkin pie, made from moonshine, egg whites and orange bitters, with nutmeg sprinkled delicately on top. I had a sip of a beverage made with bacon-infused whiskey - it tasted like a fire in the woods at night. After enjoying what was likely the single best cocktail any of us have ever had, we left. We went to a place called Whiskey Kitchen, where my friend Camber received a movie star's greeting, and I, too, was treated like royalty. We were prepared drinks adorned with fresh blueberries and orange, and then a cup of maraschino cherries soaked in moonshine. This is where I spent my last hour in Nashville with one of my best friends, and it was the perfect end to a wonderful few days.

Valentine's Day in the Big Easy

The Big Easy is New Orleans and Valentine's Day is actually expanded to three days this year, and it took place February 8-11. And it was the best Valentine's Day(s) ever.

My boyfriend picked me up from our last show in Lafayette, Louisiana and chauffeured me to New Orleans, or the last city in this country that I desperately wanted to see. Between learning about Mardi Gras in French class, and hearing about New Orleans from a good friend who's lived there, even planning a road trip with my sister but then being told it was too dangerous, I was beyond excited to finally see the city.

Two hours later in the car, we hit the dark and narrow cobblestone streets and neon lit bars. We put our Valentine's Day presents to each other in the hotel room and set out to grab some dinner and drinks. New Orleans is the first city to carry a beer that I enjoy. In every bar. Akita Strawberry Lager - it's seriously the toast (or I guess lager) of the town and it's quite refreshing.

Our first morning in the city, we woke up and visited the legendary Cafe du Monde. We sampled their chicory coffee and powdered beignets that melted in our mouths they were so moist. Afterwards, we walked across the street to the riverfront and then into St. Peter's Cathedral. It's a lot more impressive inside then out. After seeing the cathedrals of Paris, the exterior looks very blank, but the interior is a lot airier and brighter which is nice.

We did a spot of shopping. We came across a few cool thrift stores that had all sorts of costumes and swords and crazy hats. I finally decided on a Saints Jersey from a souvenir shop but bargained the guy down from $40 to $20. When I told him I was from New York, he called me out and said, "I know you. You New York Jew!" (only it sounded like New York juice, which was even more hysterical). I congratulated him on his perception and he told me he was losing money on the deal. I smiled and left with my winnings.

The afternoon consisted of frozen drinks, amazing dark chocolates from New Orleans' oldest candy store and a trip to Blacksmith's, New Orleans' oldest bar (all gas lamps and antique decor, very cool).

The next day, we took a ride on the St. Charles streetcar to the Garden District, which is a neighborhood lined with beautiful homes decked out in Mardi Gras beads for the upcoming festivities. The architecture is a perfect blend of Southern and French, and having spent a significant amount of time in both places, that was a neat hybrid to observe. We visited the Voodoo Museum, learned about Marie Levau, the Queen of Voodoo in New Orleans, and then went to Molly's, a bar where one of my best friends, Camber, used to work. It was completely surreal, because the bar looks like something out of the East Village, where she and I once shared an apartment. I met one of Camber's old friends and held the bar cat, Mr. Moo. Chris and I were recommended to an amazing local restaurant called Elizabeth's where we stuffed ourselves with delicious Southern food and dessert. A couple hours later when we could finally move again, we met up with some friends on Frenchmen Street at a jazz bar.

Our three shows in New Orleans were a hit, and I was so pumped from the amazing Valentine's Day weekend, I didn't need any caffeine to get me through. The audiences were great, and it was an incredible feeling to be performing in this town. My sweet boyfriend picked me up between shows to take me to lunch in the French Market and get me the red hot chili pepper earrings I'd spotted a few days earlier. I also picked up a matching Saints jersey for my little French pup, Jacques Chirac.

Our lunch was amazing - the deep fried sweet corn being my favorite, and we learned that it was born out of circumstance and resource. A few years back, our waiter told us, he'd bought $1000 worth of corn for a festival, only to be told there were no roasters. His wife, upon hearing this, took a couple ears into their kitchen and voila! Deep fried sweet corn has been a hit ever since. That last night, we went for our old staple - Mexican food. The place is called Felipe's, and it was quick, cheap and fantastic. So many fresh vegetables, and such great flavor. After the carb and sugar fest of the past couple days, some vegetables were definitely in order.

We said goodbye and a final Happy Valentine's Day at 4am the next morning. It was an amazing few days of walking together, eating together, dancing together, waking up together (or more accurately, me waking up Chris with reports of "Blue skies, no rain!"). It was the perfect Valentine's Day.

Sunset on the Beach and Veggies in My Belly

Pensacola is known for Florida's finest beaches. I saw this self-proclaimed title on the city water tower as we drove in. Our hotel was not near the beach, so I decided to run there. It was a beautiful four mile run with a magnificent payoff. The beach on the bay was actually not open to the public. I spotted a few teenagers with skateboards sneak in through an open gate, cross the railroad tracks and walk along the rocks. So I did the same. The water sparkled as the sun peeked in and out of the clouds. Lacking a camera, I took some mental pictures and jogged home, soaking up the sun which was forthcoming on my return route.

That evening, my friend Joel and I took a stroll to the mall (which was closed for the annual and very fancy occasion, known as Mall Ball), but I did find a super hot pair of shoes on sale at Dillards. They have yet to be seen by my boyfriend, (he visits in New Orleans tomorrow!!!), but once he does, pictures will be posted.

Our day of shows was fantastic. The theater was small but very ornate and well-maintained. We were later informed it was built in the 1920's and has gone through several restorations to upkeep the style and decor. Our audiences were great, despite it being Superbowl Sunday and we found an artsy coffee place between shows.

After our second show, we walked down to the waterfront in search of a restaurant to grab some dinner. Nothing was open, but we did catch the sunset on the water which was an incredibly radiant clash of orange and blue that you can observe for yourself.

We took some pictures and then walked back towards the center of town. We found a delightful restaurant called The Fish House, which was in an imposing building designed to look like a yacht. All the vegetables and fruit came handpicked from a nearby market and were delicious. We devoured an appetizer of fried green tomatoes and then I had a Strawberry Salad that was the most flavorful salad I've ever eaten. Everyone was friendly and charming, happy to see us enjoying their beautiful beach town.

Having never been to the West Coast of Florida before, I can say with certainty it is just as beautiful and exciting as the Southern part.

Why I Couldn't See My Shadow

Panama City is a long way from Lake Charles, Louisiana. Like twelve hours, we're talking. So by the time it got dark on the bus, and we were still an hour away, everyone was feeling a bit restless. And thus, a plan was born. To explore the gay bars of Panama City and get our dance on. And so it was.

We dropped off our stuff at the hotel, and dolled up for a night on the town. We were headed to a place called Splash, which incidentally, is the name of a very big gay club in New York, the first gay club I went to when I was a freshman in college. So naturally, I was expecting something similar. Well, our wee crowd of nine was the entire club that night. To be fair, there was one older man sitting at the bar when we walked in, but he left shortly thereafter. Pitchers of jungle juice were ordered and requests to the dj were made. We had our run of the place, and it was a blast. When "Whip My Hair" by Willow Smith came on, I teased my hair into a high pony and went crazy. The song is three minutes and thirteen seconds, and I daresay I whipped my hair back and forth and around in circles for the entire thing. After a few hours of this, some of us decided to call it a night. But others, myself included, decided to go back out for more. To another club, of course, one with other people besides us. The next club was actually quite packed, and we even caught the tail end (no pun intended!) of a drag show. There was then an empty stage, and sure enough the Barney boys (and girl) found themselves on it. Alas, this was not our only contribution to the club. Should you check the list of top winners on the PhotoHunt Machine, you'll see what I mean. When we'd drank and danced enough, we decided to head home. Our home, however, was right next to a Waffle House. So we couldn't help but stop in for some late night waffles that just so happen to taste like banana bread. Must I mention this was my third trip to Waffle House that day? No? Good, I didn't think you'd be interested.

We had the next day off, and I was looking forward to doing some shopping at the mall near our hotel. It is at this point I am obliged to mention my neck was really, really sore from the previous night's hair whipping. Turning my head to the right was out of the question and tilting my head down an absolute no. Hence, my hair could not be flipped over for its customary towel drying. I resorted to button down clothing to avoid putting anything over my immobile head. I did get up and go to the mall like a champ - only tried on a couple things and with great pain - and then sat on the far right side of the movie theater to avoid any head turning. I watched "The Next Three Days" for a dollar, which is an incredible luxury coming from New York City, home of $13 movies. I spent the evening in the hot tub trying to soak away the pain, which although ineffective was rather enjoyable. Shows with a stiff neck the next day? Not so fun. The painkillers helped, and my neck is now almost entirely better. After a few days off, it was with great pleasure that I put my running shoes back on for an 8-mile run to Pensacola Beach!