Asian Cookout & Summer Stuff

There is so much going on such that it has been difficult to take the time to post stuff online lately. Here are a few things that have not made it onto the blog:

* Memorial Day Weekend in Pensacola Beach - with Sandra, Irene, Hung and David. This was an awesome weekend! I did my first keg stand. Sandra's cousins brought a large keg on the beach and we had a nice beach party with whoever was there. We met lots of people, ate good food, and enjoyed the sun and surf. I also enjoyed some quiet time by myself... waking up at dawn to watch the sunrise. I love these moments when I feel one with nature and experience the indescribable beauty of life.

* Kayaking down the Hiwassee River in East Tennessee - I went on this trip with Caleb, Beth and Sandra. This was a real whitewater kayaking trip. Sandra decided it was too difficult after a few minutes on the river (the currents were strong and her kayak hit a tree); Caleb lasted a few minutes more (when we hit some rapids his kayak flipped... he did try more than once). We all took a crash kayak rolling class the week before, but we probably needed more than a one hour lesson. I hurt myself during that class and was under lots of pain during the actual trip, bruised ribs take more than a month to heal! Thankfully Bath and I made it all the way. Since this was not easy, I do commend Sandra and Caleb for giving whitewater kayaking a good try. The trip was organized by Vanderbilt University's Outdoor Rec. Center and we met a few Vandy students and staff at the excursion. We also enjoyed some amazing Mexican food at a restaurant on the drive back home.

* Costa Rica...NOT - Well this has been the craziest part of my summer. I took a flight to Costa Rica where I was suppose to spend time with a few old friends in Tambor, but I was not allowed entry when I got there. I will spare you the boring details. Lets just say that after an overnight stay in the San Jose Airport I was on a flight to the USA.

In the last few weeks I have been to Chicago, Wabasha, MN, and Minneapolis. Tonight, I will be in New Orleans, next weekend will be in Orlando and I will spend the Second half of September in Spain. When I have time I will upload pictures from some of the events above. For now here are pic from our Asian themed cookout last July 22nd at my home:

Asian Cookout 2007

Bastille Day 2007

On July 15th we celebrated yet another Bastille Day. This is one of the biggest parties my group of friends puts together each year. Jocelyne, as always, was a most gracious host. The music was wonderful, the company was awesome and the weather was perfect. This years party was a little more tamed than last years, but still lots of fun. Just like in 2006, the party was covered by the Nashville Rage, one of our local weekly rags. Below is the article by Heather Byrd followed by a link to some pictures. If you haven't seen it yet, scroll down to July 2006 to see my posting on last year's Bastille Day celebration.


Party Like the French!
by Heather Byrd

The annual Bastille Day Celebration took place once again at the French House just off Belmont over the weekend. The legendary party at the home of Jocelyne Bezzi-Batani always attracts hundreds of festive partygoers. This year's celebration welcomed jovial performances from Linda the Bellydancer; drag queen extraordinaire Veronica Electronica, who performed Madonna's "Vogue" in head-to-toe Marie Antoinette regalia; DJ Carey James; and a singing troupe from the cast of TSU's The Blacks: A Clown Show, which opens this weekend. A couple of guests even joined in on the fun with impromptu performances, including a member of the Gypsy Hombres who strolled through the crowd playing his fiddle. New this year was the use of a secret password in order to gain entrance to the event, which was strictly enforced by hired security in an effort to curb uninvited guests. But surely a few lessons in the language of love should ensure their entrance to next year's party.

Bastille Day 2007

Pensacola Beach Craziness!!

They say that 30 is the new 20, but during this trip to Pensacola Beach you would think that we were a bunch of kids on spring break! David, Hung, Sandra, Irene and myself loaded up into the van and drove down for what turn out to be an insanely fun memorial day weekend. Sandra's cousins, who drove from South Florida brought a keg and next thing you know we were all doing keg stands and then belly shots on the beach. We met all kinds of people who joined in the merriment. The beach had a nice party atmosphere that weekend that fit in well with the group's mood. To keep my sanity and enjoy the peace of nature, I did wake up at the crack of dawn almost every morning to watch the sunrise and enjoy the quietness of the beach at that time. We will be doing this again, the group already has hotel rooms booked for the same time next year!

Pensacola, FL - May 2007

Jessica's Surprise Toga Birthday Party

Last Sunday, February 11th, we had a surprise birthday party for Jessica. Since Jess is a history buff who likes ancient Greek and Roman history, Linda thought a toga party would be fun. It was a great idea and was actually my first toga party. Though there were lots of festivities, it was an early night. Many of us had work the next day. But the night did start young and we managed to do some dancing and lots of goofing around. Emily even created an adult version of pin the tail on the donkey, except it this case it was a eunuch. The night began with Jessica walking in blindfolded while her very own birthday song was playing in the background. I wish I could share the music - each one of us has a talking or singing part in the song. We recorded it in Carey studio a couple years ago...really cool song - thanks to Carey! Jessica had to listen to it a few times that night. Click on the picture below for more about the party.

It was a great night. I feel very privileged to host the party for such an amazing person. I love you Jess and I know we will have many more crazy and fun times together.

Jessica's Surprise Toga Birthday Party

The New Year & Little Miss Sunshine

I just got home from hanging out with the gang. We were at the Red Door, a neighborhood bar here in East Nashville. I normally don’t go out during the week, but work has been hectic and I wanted to unwind a little. It’s that time of year when I have to get the budgets done for the coming fiscal year… late nights staring at spreadsheets and doing creative calculations.

The first month of 2007 has come and gone. Time seems to be slipping away faster than I would like. For the New Year, I have made three resolutions:

1. Buy a new car
2. Write at least one article on my blog each month
3. Hmmm… for the moment, this one is a secret

The first item on this list is done. I got a brand new, fully loaded Toyota Camry SE (sports edition). It is Motor Trend’s Car of the Year and so far, I am very happy with it. My friend Todd, who works at the dealership, helped me get a really good deal. Thanks Todd!

Last Sunday, my roommate Stephanie and I watch “Little Miss Sunshine.” The movie was slightly twisted, but really funny. We had a blast! I highly recommend it, if you can deal with the warped humor. It’s a couple of days later and I am still laughing about the last scene. It was hilarious!

Below is a link to my web album for the New Year's party held at my home on January 12th.

New Years Party - Nashville 2007

Merry Christmas!

I am now in Central Florida enjoying time with my family. I met my little nephew Jack-Jack (Joaquin) for the first time. He is adorable. I will be here with my immediate family and will also see some extended family. It is a special time, everyone is getting older and the older you get the more you get reminded that life is both short and precious. What I really like about Christmas is that everyone gets to become a child again.

I want to wish you all the very best. May you experience the holiday with the eyes and heart of a child. Merry Christmas!!!

Click on the picture below for a picture album: (This are pictures from the Christmas Party at my home in Nashville last weekend. Use the slideshow feature for best quality.)

Christmas Party 2006

Bastille Day 2006

Here is an article that came on in the Nashville Rage about the Bastille Day Party last week. The party was at the the French House where Carey, Jocelyne, Selena and Irene live. I didn't get to take too many pictures but there are a few at the end.


Ain't No Party Like a Bastille Day Party
by Heather Byrd

Believe it or not, I have been known to throw a few good house parties in my time. My career as a party gal started in eighth grade when my mom graciously allowed me to staple 40 strands of Christmas lights to the living room ceiling and invite 150 of my closest pals over for secretly spiked punch, spin the bottle and disco dance-offs. In high school I managed to pull off a couple of huge house parties without my mom ever finding out until that one time when my crew decided to take full advantage of her new camcorder and record all of our shenanigans. We cleaned up the entire mess from the party but left the tape behind in the VCR and I came home from school on Monday afternoon to find my mom glued to the TV watching all the shocking details. I think my official grounding just ended sometime last year.

But in all of my wildest moments of sheer rebellion within the confines of my home, I never encountered anything like what I saw on Friday night. I had heard about the infamous Bastille Day Party on Belmont for several years but I had never attended until this past weekend. So, after receiving a few email invites from pals including one of the house inhabitants, Carey James, I decided to check it out. Even before arriving, phone calls and text messages from the party began inundating my phone. I got a cryptic and barely audible voicemail from famed local photographer Tommy Barrett, something to the effect of, ''naked people … swimming pool … boinking … BYOB … bring yo' ass!'' And so I did. I made my way down Belmont, not even sure of the exact address of my destination. Luckily the party was not at all hard to find as cars were lined on the street from I-440 to Woodmont. I managed to find a parking spot and then followed the sounds of music, giggles and squeals of delight from partygoers up to the sprawling stone home of a French woman named Jocelyne Bezzibatani.

You know that the party hosts are well prepared for a large gathering when they have a port-a-poo delivered to their front yard for the occasion. And it's a good thing too because there were people crawling out of every crevice! By my estimate, there must have been more than 400 attendees, and by the time I arrived they had all partaken in their fair share of crazy concoctions, as they seemed to have lost every last one of their inhibitions. There were naked people frolicking in the pool. There were naked people frolicking near the pool. There were even naked people frolicking in the front yard! There were clothed people standing around watching all the naked people. There were people smoking molasses tobacco out of a hookah. There was even a man dressed as a garden gnome and a surly muchacho in a sombrero wandering about aimlessly. It was a feast for the eyes! It was easily the biggest house party I have ever seen and apparently it has been going on at the same house on the same day each year for almost fifteen years!

By 2:30am, the cops had just about all they could take and began issuing parking tickets to all the cars that lined the street, generating some serious revenue for the city of Nashville. The party was officially over. I myself got an $11 ticket, but let me tell ya, it was a small price to pay to witness all the revelry. What I can say is that if you were not there this time around, you better be sure to make plans to attend next year.

Bastille Day 2006