Furry Friends Support

Sun., Oct. 5, 2008

A big supporter of animal rights, I was happy to participate in the 3rd Annual Humane Society Walk for the Animals in Washington, D.C. I volunteered at the registration table before the event, so I wasn't able to bring my own three doggies. However, I wore a button that showed I was walking in their honor. As the crowd grew, there was a sea of doggies of all sizes and breeds. The energy level was high and not surprisingly, the dogs were experiencing sensory overload. Activities prior to the walk included doggie yoga, an agility course, contests for owner-look-alike and best dressed canine and a microchip clinic. There was a cute doggie water station. The band Redline Addiction provided great live music. My friend Karina joined me for the one-mile scenic walk around Constitution Gardens. The only disappointment to a majority of the attendees -- the walk was too short. There were approximately 2,000 participants and more than $97,709 was raised. The Humane Society is continuing to collect donations until November 7.

Vino Birthday Party

Sat., Oct. 4, 2008

Our core group got together to celebrate our friend Eric's birthday at Tarara Winery in Leesburg, Va. (Chhayal, Chris, Pascale, Mary Lou, Seetal and Amelia). We kicked off the festivities in the wine tasting room. A staff member guided us through the tasting experience -- helping us identify the unique flavors and understand the complexities in each vintage. We choose to participate in the Featured Selection, which included five wines: 2006 Charval, 2007 Rosé, 2005 Cabernet Franc, 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon and Non-Vintage Wild River Red. After the tasting we headed over to picnic tables overlooking a lake to have lunch and enjoy some bottles of wine. It was a beautiful autumn day. The house dog Shadow, a sweet black lab, came over to greet us. Everyone brought a different item to contribute to the picnic. On the spot Eric cut tomatoes and stuffed them with homemade chicken salad. The spread looked like something right off the pages of Martha Stewart Living. We ended the afternoon with a delicious chocolate birthday cake Chhayal made from scratch.

Comic Relief

Thurs., Sept. 25, 2008

My friend Eric, along with two of his friends Pascale and Mary Lou went to see Kathy Griffin perform at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. We had great seats smack in the center. It was Kathy's first performance since she won her Emmy for Outstanding Reality Program for her work on 'My Life on the D-List'. Her material focused on a lot of behind-the-scenes dirt from the Emmys and politics -- not surprising considering the location and it being an election year. Her show lasted about an 1 hour and 45 minutes and was solid entertainment. A nice and well-needed laugh break from the stress of everything in the news.

Natural Wonder

Sat., Aug. 30, 2008

I went on a brief weekend road trip to my hometown. My cousin and his wife knew I had never participated in the sites of Niagara Falls, even though I lived in Buffalo the first 22 years of my life. One of those things where you take your surrounding for granted until you are no longer living there. They took me to the Cave of the Winds and Maid of the Mist in Niagara Falls on the American side. The Cave of the Winds was a blast! Mother Nature provided us with a gorgeous day. We paid for our tickets -- the fee included a yellow disposable slicker and a "fashionable" pair of foam sandals. We then joined a looooong line and patiently waited to enter. You take a quick elevator ride down inside the cave walls. You then take a brief walk thru the cave to the outside. You definitely want to be wearing your slicker at this point because you are sprayed with water shooting off the rocks. The views and colors of the Falls are SPECTACULAR as you climb up and down the red wood stairs, getting as close to the sides as you dare!!! I had a really great time.

Side Note: The sandals are provided to tourists so they can keep their own shoes dry and the sure-grip soles of the sandals prevent slippage on the wet scenic decks. Afterwards you can place your sandals in a large bin. The recycled sandals are given out to individuals who are in need of footwear locally, nationally and internationally. The sandals are distributed by members of the Project Angel Shoes Distributor Partnership Program. In May 2008, 65,000 pairs of sandals were donated to individuals in poverty-stricken Haiti.