this will all make perfect sense someday

SOTD: The Wreckers - "Stand Still, Look Pretty"

Just when I think things are going pretty good something happens to remind me that life is short and we shouldn't take anything for granted. A little over a week ago we found out my little brother has a serious medical condition. His eye had been a little puffy and sore for a few weeks and he finally went to the doctor to get it checked out. After running a few tests, the doctor concluded the symptoms are the result of a tumor that is lodged between his eye and his brain. Naturally, there's more...after running a few more tests a presumptive diagnosis was made: Lymphoma.

We had no idea what life had in store...

Admittedly, I know very little about the disease except that it's a form of cancer. How is it that my 26 year old brother went from laughing about something stupid I said at dinner on Sunday night to being a cancer patient on Monday afternoon? None of this makes any sense to me. The reality of the situation is beginning to set in; he has a wife and four kids and we are having casual conversations about upcoming brain surgery and chemotherapy.

Life is so much easier when you know what comes next. Good or bad, if you know how the cards are gonna fall, it's much easier to deal with the hand you're dealt. Instead, by not knowing, when life does get tough, it often feels like we're existing entirely in a state of suspended terror. (And I'm not even the one with cancer this time!)

Andy & Shawna with baby Miles

The craziest part is that if you talked to my brother today, he wouldn't let on in any way that anything is wrong, let alone that inside he's scared to death. He's more concerned with watching the new Yogi Bear movie with Kaden or potty training Jorja. I honestly don't know when he grew into such a strong young man.

Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. He is scheduled for brain surgery on April 4th at which time the doctors hope to extract the tumor. Because of it's location there is a great risk that he might lose some or all of his vision. Additionally, there is some danger of memory or motor function loss if there is any damage to his brain during the extraction. And if all that goes well, he will still need chemotherapy after the surgery and his recovery will take some time. If I could trade places with him, I would. He has so much to live for and I don't want him to miss even a minute of it. But I can't. Instead, I wait. And pray.

the heart of the matter

SOTD: Ray LaMontagne - "Be Here Now"

I come from a long line of broken hearts. 

My family tree has lots of heart...problems!

Not the emotionally challenged sort, but the stop pumping, skip a beat in a bad way, physically damaged kind.

A couple of weeks ago my Mom and Grandmother had individual visits with their cardiologist who ran common tests to check for any abnormalities and both of their tests came back with issues. As a result, they were both sent to Nashville for more invasive testing. 

To say that I've been a little 'out of sorts' the last 24 hours or so would be an understatement. 

In what I can only describe as typical 'Watson' timing, they had simultaneous exploratory surgical procedures this morning. Unfortunately, because of my fabulous new job, I was unable to take the day off to be with them at Vanderbilt, but that didn't stop me from worrying myself sick. 

It started with my 45 minute commute to work. I should have just listened to the radio this morning, but if you know me, you know that I am glued to my ipod in the car and in the great tradition of 'Musical Fortune' my random playlist couldn't have been more morose. Just check out a sampling below:

1. Katy Perry - Not Like the Movies

2. Carrie Underwood - Mama's Song (cue the water works)

3. Ray LaMontagne - Be Here Now

4. Lady Antebellum - Hello World

5. Adele - Don't You Remember

6. Brandi Carlile - Turpentine

(It's possible my music library is a little heavy on the slit your wrists and cry side, but I promise it's not all depressing!! Perhaps I could use a few, new, upbeat tracks...)

The good news, however, is that everything turned out just fine. Both Mom and Granny were out of surgery before lunch and even made it back home before dinner. Granny is getting around like she spent the day at the dentist (I really hope I have some of those genes!) while Mom is taking things a little bit easier. Early reports indicate that a change in diet and lifestyle (cutting out salt & stress) could do the trick, but there is no reason to believe that either one is in any immediate danger of stroke or heart attack.

What. A. Day.

extreme makeover experience

SOTD: Carrie Underwood - 'Temporary Home' 

What. A. Weekend.

 VIP Access!!

I had the most incredible experience yesterday. ABC's hit show Extreme Makeover Home Edition has been working on a special project just outside Chattanooga for the last week and yesterday I got to attend the unveiling as a special guest of a production crew member, which basically means I got to see everything except the kitchen sink (ya know, cause it's inside the house...)! 

An old production friend helped make it all possible and from the moment he met me and my friend at the special guests entrance I was in a state of suspended disbelief. He has been traveling with the show for a few seasons now and as he pointed out on an actual call sheet, he's known as Ty's wrangler, but truth be told, his work with the show goes far beyond the handling of Ty on set. 

After graciously giving us a quick tour of the entire neighborhood of production (and I do mean 'neighborhood') he helped us find our two other friends and took us back to the area where the talent trailers are located. We met up with another former production colleague and chatted right outside a trailer simply identified with a piece of copy paper with a a large X on it taped outside the bumper window. After a ten minutes or so I saw a cute little boy and familiar, attractive looking guy emerge and head toward one of the four wheelers. A minute later I realized it was Xzibit. The X stood for Xzibit!

Still standing in this area, about ten minutes later, a pretty petite blond lady emerged and climbed aboard one of the four wheelers. This time I knew instantly I was standing three feet away from Leigh Anne Tuohy! My head was literally starting to spin. I knew I would see the cast, but my expectations were pretty low and here I stood just feet from the people who make bring me to tears every Sunday night. 

Just when I thought we had experienced it all, I was told, and I quote "Ty asked if the girls had arrived yet." I kid you not. It seems our favorite former colleague had mentioned we would be on set and Ty was actual interested in meeting us! *cue major blushing* So as not to disappoint Mr. Pennington, the four of us (and some random guy who decided to ride our coattails) proceeded in the direction of his trailer. I am not one to get star struck but again, I was in a state of disbelief.

Ty & the girls: Alicia, Amy, Holly & Anna

He emerged from his trailer the bubbly, energetic person we all know from the show. I was standing first in line, right next to the steps, so of course, I was the fist one he greeted. I don't remember exactly what I said, but I do remember that he was aware of me (by name only) and it made my day to hear him say he had heard a lot about me and was happy to finally meet me! It was short, but so sweet!! He continued down the line greeting each of the girls and then posed for several photos. After our quick meet and greet he was wisked away to prepare for the epic 'Move That Bus' scene.

"Move That Bus!!!!"

We moved locations too, and found a very nice spot right beside the finished house to watch as the limo arrived and eventually an overwhelmed family got their first look at what will be their new home. With my background in production, I was prepared for a pretty lengthy wait, but trust me when I say it was completely worth it!

Once the family was inside the house, the crowd dispersed rather quickly. We found our production contact and made our way back to the area with the talent trailers. After raiding the cast and crew craft services trailer for snacks and water we were ready to head downtown for a nice meal, but not before taking one last opportunity to say thanks to the friends who helped get us such unbelievable access. It was during this time we got our last two perks. First our 'wrangler' friend presented us with our very own blue shirts. Then just as we were leaving we ran into Leigh Anne Tuohy again, this time she actually had a chance to say hello! 

It was a pretty cool day, even for a girl who doesn't get too excited about production related stuff! It's truly unbelievable what goes in to making just one episode of this show and I have a great respect for all the people who donate their time and resources to make it happen!

Photos courtesy of Anna H. & Chaz H.

english comp 101: the definition of sex (essay edition)

SOTD:  Connie Francis - 'Stupid Cupid'

During one of my recent moves, I found several old notebooks from college. Among them I found the following essay in a notebook marked English Comp 101 from the fall of 1999. 

There are three things you should know before you read it: 

#1 - This was a real paper for a real english 101 assignment

#2 - I had no real life experience or basis for the position I argue

#3 - I recieved a grade of A- along with the comment: "Engaging & Well-Expressed"

Happy Valentine's Day Y'all! Enjoy!!

Alicia P. Watson

English Comp. 101

Definition Essay

Sex: The Best Sport on Earth

     If sports require good physical health, aerobic activity and at least two participants, then sex has just become the best sport on earth! This 'sport' should become a new alternative to regular games, since in many ways, having sex can become as intense, if not more so than football or basketball. I consider sex a sport because it demands good physical condition, it gets the heart rate up, and people do it one-on-one, and sometimes, even in groups. 

     To stand the long haul while performing strenuous sexual acts, one must display the best health possible. Having poor health can cause various problems such as shortness of breath, increased chance of heart attack and fatigue. To keep in shape for sex, one can jog, do sit-ups, or even lift weights. By practicing these exercises,  one can keep the heart strong and build a breathing endurance. This assures that one will have an enjoyable experience without the fear of ending the night at the local hospital due to health complications. 

     As an exciting, physical game, sex allows one to reach the level of aerobic activity quickly. As the intensitiy of the situation increases, so do the heat and heart rate. These factors bring the effectiveness of sex as a sport and an aerobic workout to full impact. In fact, one can burn 120 calories an hour just by having intense sex, the same amount as two hours of swimming. One game of doubles tennis does not burn this many calories. This proves that sex allows for the same effects as many practiced sports. 

     Just as sports have teams, sex, in its own way has teams as well. Most people play one-on-one, but the more adventurous at heart choose orgies, or 'team sex.' As with many other sports, sex played as a team event gets a little more complicated. One has a more difficult time determining his or her role and goal when sex turns into a group activity. Whether played with just two people or as a group, sex still reaches a certain level of competition. One competes to please the other person or persons involved. These qualities make sex the most actively competitive sport in the world. 

     In  conclusion, because it requires good physical condition, increases aerobic activity and takes at least two people to play, sex makes the best sport ever. With just a heated interaction, one can achieve an extraordinary workout and intensify one's bond with the other partner. The next time you need a quick, fun, fat burner, try a good old fashioned round of sex, the most competitive sport in the bedroom. 

not to be

SOTD:  John Mayer - 'My Stupid Mouth'

Earlier this week, I wrote about a boy. I don't usually wear my heart on my sleeve and it's not often I meet someone who meets my impossibly high standards and makes me want to shout it from the rooftops, yet I did, and I said I would tell this boy how I felt, and I did.

Sadly, the results were not as positive as I had hoped. Turns out that although the distance isn't a deal breaker for me, it is for him. I guess some things really just aren't meant to be. Timing has never really been my strong suit, and now I can add location to that list. 

"The heart is the only broken instrument that works" - Kalem 

So, in conclusion, I am officially going wide with the offer. Valentine's Day is tomorrow and I refuse to be a Sad Sally! If you or someone you know meet my impossibly high standards and don't mind that I've relocated to the smallest town on earth - give me a call...