MJ

I got to watch the Michael Jackson memorial from home today, and I have to say, I was weepy. I felt it a very genuine memorial, one that honored a phenomenal entertainer and humanitarian. Since finding out about his death, I have every now and then gone to youtube to remember him in his amazing videos, and then to remember him as a young boy singing on the Ed Sullivan Show. I am amazed. What a talent! It's unfortunate that as such a handsome young man he wasn't comfortable enough in his own skin, and had to change his looks so drastically. It is sad.
I've always been a fan - ever since I was young. I remember in Hawaii when my brother Quinn got the Off The Wall album, and it was listened to daily. I also remember when Thriller was a scary video. He was a big deal on the islands, and the Curran family was definitely affected.
Good times, Michael. Thank you.

He wants to marry me.

My dear, sweet nephew Ryan was sitting next to me at the dinner table the other day and asked, "Auntie, had you been married before?" I simply replied, "Nope, I haven't been married before". He was pensive for a moment and then said, "when I grow up, I'm gonna marry you". Bless his 5 year old heart! I then went on to explain that aunties and nephews don't marry each other, and proceeded to suggest other little girls he might marry when he grows up.
My sister and her family have been visiting from NC for the last week, and being with my nephews has been quite fun. I love how whenever I'm sitting down, Ryan, (who is quite tall for his age, and quite a tank) always asks if he can sit on my lap. It's pretty much adorable. I love being Auntie to my 6 nephews. I know I've bragged about them on countless occasions, but truly, they are very special to their Auntie Erin.

If you wanna come...

You can find the address here. I'm a little nervous about my first band gig, to be honest. Ahhhhhhhhhh!!

Ok, bless you all.

Rain, rain DON'T go away!

Utah has been experiencing some uncommonly wet weather this Summer... thus far. I know that most of the population out there is aching to have the really, really hot weather that comes from living in a dry climate. However, you that know me and have known my blog posts know that I am a lover of the rain. Indeed, I *heart* an overcast sky like I *really heart* a milk chocolate dove bar. I secretly long for the days when Summer comes to an end. I long to see the misty clouds draped over the rough mountains, and the colorful leaves of Fall appear. I'm not trying to rush the Summer, but I do so love my beloved Fall. The sights, the smells, the layers. Ohh, I love it! This weather just takes me back to it all over again. I just checked the forecast, and it looks like next week should be filled with some pretty high numbers, so I'm going to enjoy wrapping up in my blanket and listening to the falling rain outside my window :)

Friends, I must admit something. There is a down-side to Summer storms. I'm afraid of lightning. AHHH! There, I sad it! Now listen, I don't mind watching lightning from a distance, but I really don't like it knowing it's right over me. I especially don't like it when it seems to be striking all around the restaurant I'm supposed to be entering with my sis-in-law! Seriously, it's a scared moment you dunna wanna see. Thanks Sharon for just laughing at me and my childish fear.

So, I'm in a band...

Yes, me. I never thought I'd actually be in a band. This one came about by chance, actually. My brother Shane was the one that made it all happen (bless you, dear brother). Anyways, check us out here! They may look like a bunch of old fuddy duddies (totally kidding), but they're actually pretty cool and GREAT musicians!

The beauty of Kauai

My boss asked me to stop over in Kauai to check out a property before going home, so here I am. Man, this island is fantastic! Seriously beautiful. I am leaving the island later tonight, which gives me plenty of time to check out the other scenic areas. Luckily I finished my work yesterday :)

Such fun in Hawaii...

What a great time I've had already, and it is only Tuesday! I still have 3 days ago, thank goodness.
Here are some pics to simply show some of the beauty and the fun being had.

Home to the Islands...

Work will yet again take me to a fantastic locale... home. If you didn't know, I spent the first 10 years of my life in Hawai'i ne'i. How I love it! I will be there for work, but am excited that I'll be no more than 10 minutes from my home town.

More

So, today was good. It was a busy day at IMEX, but I got a lot of appointments in and made lots of good contacts for work. You know, I’m different. I know you were going to say, ‘no, Erin, you are completely normal’. However, friends, I am not. I especially am not in Europe. Ok, this is how it goes:
Everyone: drinkers
Me: non-drinker (never had a drop in my life)
Everyone: f-bomb droppers (ok, not everyone, but lots)
Me: nope
Everyone: Smokers (ok, again, not everyone, but lots)
Me: nein
Everyone: Coffee drinkers
Me: nein otra vez (you like how I mixed the two languages, eh? That’s how they do it in ol’ Europe)

These differences could possibly make me feel really awkward and very out of place – especially when they ask why. However, no one has asked me. I’ve been able to simply say, no thanks, I’ll have a coke. No questions asked. Isn’t that nice?! So, being different is not so bad. I’m rather happy with the decisions I’ve made to not drink, smoke, etc – especially after I returned from a Visit London party tonight. Mucho alcohol, and mucho smoking. The smoking really got to me after a while. On my way home in the taxi, I seriously felt as if I would throw up. Not pleasant, folks. However, I had a great time with the people I was able to meet. Also, I won an Ipod Nano. Woohoo! This was the second time winning a Nano. Funny, eh? Remember my passed post… here.
Like I said, I met many a funny/nice person at this party. The Barcelona/Manchester game was going on in the background which made things particularly lively. I love fun people. Here are pics of some of my new, fun friends. One is Kiwi (NZ), and the other (tally) is German. One thing I do love about Germany… many tall men! Amazing!

Deutsch Land

Guten Tag! Here I am in Frankfurt, Germany. So, It's not totally for pleasure. I'm here for a rather large scale meeting conference. It's the first day of this 3 day shindig, and I'm happy as pie just to be here. I've been to Germany before, but it has been a few years (7, I think). So, here are a few things I've learned in my day and a half here. Come to think of it, most of these things I've learned before, but just figured I'd share anyway.

Bread and cheese is a wunderbar breakfast.
Nutella is also a great addition to breakfast.
Coca Cola Light needs to be manufactured in the states.
I'm not going to lose an ounce of weight while I'm here.
Orange Fanta is yum!
Not a fan of the sparkling water. Never have been, and still am not.

M'kay, I'll share more later.

Bis bald!

Happy 40th Ma & Pa!

How many couples these days make it to 40 years together? So happy that after 40 years and 8 kids, Doug & Colleen still remain. Love you both mucho!

Here they are on their honeymoon at the Plaza Hotel in NYC back in '69. What a beautiful couple!

Bret & Jemaine, thank you.

Salt Lake City hosted two of my favorite actors/singers/performers, Bret and Jemaine from Flight of the Conchords. Best thing about the concert - being on the 2nd row with my brothers (and their friend, middle). Thanks to Quinn for that!
Here is some footage from one of my faves. More to come.

Lush Life

I heard this song as a teenager and liked it. However, when I hear it now 15 years later, I go through a whole range of emotions. The song seems simple enoough, but is actually quite complex. It was written in 1915 by Billy Strayhorn, a 16 year old boy. I'm amazed that he could feel this song so deeply - both musically and emotionally at such a young age.

Hope you enjoy.

Here's Natalie...

A week with da boys

I've been in Charlotte hangin' with my sister Caiti and her cute family this week. It has been nice. There is never any big fan fare, or any rush to visit the sites of the city. It's just a time to chill and spend time with family I don't get to see more than a few times a year. This time around Caiti decided she wanted to make my visit a surprise for my nephews. It was a surprise indeed! Shown are the pics after I arrived at the doorstep as a long awaited "package". I sure love my nephews Gavin & Ryan. They are adorable, smart, and very TALL boys! Go figure! A tall Curran? No!



This pic is a little hard to explain. This is their imitation of what I do when I run around and scare them. I don't know what they're doing with their hands, but apparently I did something like this a couple of years ago, and it stuck.

Hi, it's me.

What a stranger to my own blog I have certainly been! Life has been busy recently. The end of this month and May will continue to be busy, actually. I just got back from a XanGo Las Vegas Regional convention last night. It was quite the show, really. When I got home yesterday morning, I was absolutely beat, which is evident by my early departure to dream land at 6:30pm and rise at 7 am this morning. Loved every moment of it. Tomorrow I leave for Charlotte on a surprise visit to my dear nephews Gavin and Ryan. I don't get to see them enough, so I fully plan on a week of hugging and kissing their heads off!
Later in the month I leave for a work trip to Frankfurt. It'll be a busy trip, but nice to be in a new place.
Anything else? I think not. Just wanted to let you, my faithful public know that I am still here :)