Is Justin Timberlake The New Take Home Chef?

Jordan asked Justin Timberlake to show her a certain dance move from his Like I Love You music video. She had a big presentation to a financial institution she was preparing for and she was sure if she busted out a move it would sell her investment strategy. She was dressed for a run in a t-shirt, shorts and her new Heidi Klum shoes.

In reality, my oldest daughter Jordan does maintain a pretty rigorous work out schedule including running. Holding a Principal position at a major consulting firm she often leads presentations to companies who have large investment portfolios. If she really busted out a move during one it would probably be the first time in the history of the corporate boardroom.

 She inquired of JT, how do you do that thing with your feet? JT, who was sitting in the yard by her, reached over and moved her feet with his hands to demonstrate.He turned to my son, Michael and said, "do you have that song?" Michael scrolled through the iTunes a put on something similar, but not by JT.

I turned and shot him the death stare which was really non verbal communication for: “Justin Timberlake is here in our yard and you put on a sound alike? Put on one of my JT cd’s”.

The smell of smoke drifted through our yard and JT said, “ I feel like ribs. I make great ribs. If I can borrow your car I’ll run to the grocery and get some cooking supplies.” I handed the keys to my freshly waxed 2011 Ford Edge. I wanted to ask him if he wanted me to tag along but I didn’t.

He started the car. I came out to show him how to work “my Ford Touch” but I couldn’t find him. Then I heard the car driving down the street with the music blaring, so I guessed he figured it out on his own.

Then we realized we needed baking potatoes. I wanted to call or send a text but what normal person had Justin’s cell phone number?

Then I thought of a very gifted child hood schoolmate, Louis Resto. He’s got a Grammy and an Oscar for his song writing with and for Eminem, surely he has JT’s number.No answer.

In reality, I am a huge Justin Timberlake fan. I do own a 2011 Ford Edge. I did go to school in Garden City and was a friend of Luis Resto's big brother Mario. Their whole family was quite musical and have made successful careers for themselves and still live in the Detroit area. I just remember Luis as Mario's little bro who got shooed away when the big kids were hanging out.

Where is Curtis Stone, The Take Home Chef when you need him? So I got in the other car, thinking I would go get the potatoes myself. Driving out of the subdivision I spotted black smoke billowing in the sky from a wildfire. The further I drove I noted several small fires around.

I should have been freaked out, given the recent wildfire disasters this season. But I reasoned that since it was not a windy day the likely hood of the fires growing out of control was slim. Then I saw flying embers landing on lawns and  scantily dressed people were running around quickly stomping them out.

In reality, this Midwestern girl has been officially freaked out by the recent wildfires in Austin. I've gotten way more up close and personal with the phenomenon than I ever planned. Fire period has always scared me. I don't even like to light matches. During the fires we experienced in this hellishly hot, drought ridden state I felt like the whole place could burst into flames with the slightest provocation.

Realizing my family was at home with no vehicles (I had one, Justin had the other) I decided  to turn around to make my way home, in case we were evacuated again.  Just then I came upon a couple of baby deer all snuggled beside the road sleeping like a bunch of curled up cats, exhausted from running from the small fires.

When I got home the van lines was parked across the driveway, loading up.

Now doesn’t that just figure!? A moving truck is loading up all of our household belongings. Meanwhile Justin Timberlake is on his way back to my house with ribs to barbecue just when Michael got the right CD playing. Don't load that Weber grill, what ever you do.

The only way this impromptu dinner party could get any more complicated is if those spotty wildfires flare up and merge and head towards the whole kitten caboodle.

Back in the day we called that Dream Weaving, made famous by then (1970's) foxy Gary Wright. No market grabbing name change for this guy, there were just too many musical "Garys" in that era. Not to be confused with my 8th grade boyfriend, Gary DiGeorgio.

In reality, I'm not sure why my older kids were in my dream about Austin, since they live in Chicago. I do know I desperately miss them at times since we moved far far away.

I have no idea why Justin Timberlake happens to be in my yard, or where the car he must have came in is. This is Austin after all, not NYC. He couldn't have taken the subway.

I have seen deer curled up like kittens sleeping by the road, but that would have been in Northern Michigan on a lakeside road.

And believe me when I say I'd love for the Justin Timberlake to come show my buttoned up business daughter a few moves she could bust out during a board meeting and get the  corporate investing community buzzing.

I have no doubt JT knows a little something about serving up great ribs since opening Southern Hospitality in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee.

In reality, I don't usually remember dreams, and have no idea what dream interpretation really means. I can see how all of the things floating around my brain mix together to make a pretty disjointed  but fun story.

At least I didn't wake up on Dexters table getting all Dexterized.

He Had Me At Hello: Harry Connick Jr At Bllissdom

My plane landed smoothly in Nashville, TN on February 4th, which happens to be my birthday. The day had not gotten off to a great start. My lovely husband picked that as the time for him to rudely express his  frustration with me for an ongoing conflict. Like my anxiety is not all ready over the top trying to leave my family and all the obligations behind for a week.

I was determined to make a fresh start to the day. When I opened up my computer at the airport I observed a delightful amount of birthday greetings for me via facebook, twitter and emails.

Luckily, my roomie for the conference went along with the plan to stop at the nearest liquor store before we got sucked into the vortex to another time continuum called Gaylord's Opryland Resort.You'll have to check out her collection of Elvis wines and read about our finding our room escapades. Our romp through the bio domes rainforest to find our room while toting numerous bags left us moist and frazzled.

I like to unpack and organize as soon as I get in the room. But whacking our way through the jungle in the hunt for our room in the Magnolia section left me in need of an RP (rest period) with feet up on bed. Too geared up to really rest, I decide it's time to get the party started.

Ice was located. Glass tumblers (so much better than plastic or foam). Bliss (in room) bar and a refreshing beverage helped cool us down. We reviewed our Blissdom schedules and made some strategic decisions....ladies.start.your.engines!

There were ice breakers, business card exchanges, babies in strollers,lots of laughter and photogramommies run amok with their pro style cameras intimidating the heck out of my pocket sized digital. I won a cookbook by Food Network's George Duran who surprised us with a couple of cooking demonstrations at our humble gathering.

Friday there was so much to take in. People, computers, seminars. I felt like the snotty girl pulling up my twitter while my instructor chattered on, but it was what we were supposed to do. Not only is Twitter  handy for finding your roommate in a sea of women, it was up my alley to receive snarky ongoing commentary in real time (hey, it's what we do). I was amazed constantly by the creativity and genius around me.

Now the ladies (and the token men) were all a flutter anticipating the arrival of Harry Connick Jr and his band for our private concert. I thought it would be cool but in the back of my head I was all, man couldn't they have reeled in Justin Timberlake? I'm crazy for him and his sometimes sidekick/producer Timbaland. They are Tennessee boys and do gooders so I thought they would have been a good fit.

Harry Connick Jr & his awesome band

And then it happened. His handsome self took the stage and he had me at hello. Launching in to a self deprecating message of admiration for strong woman who know how to get things done. His charm grew by the minute as he spoke of the influential females in his life including his wife of 20 years, 3 daughters, his accomplished sister serving in the military. This guy was the real deal.He related how he was happy to be speaking to a group of communicators who could muster their brains, compassion and technology to make significant contributions to society.

Harry Connicks band

OK so they didn't sound like Justin Timberlake, but at that moment when it felt like they were playing individually to you it more than made up for that. The fact that the band members were each so expert with their particular instrument made them a dream team to listen to.

As Harry closed out the show and wandered around to the photo line in the back the rest of us slowly made our way out onto the dance floor with a new DJ taking over.

Our fun was so irresistible that before we knew it several of the band members had come through the middle of the crowd to join the crazy dance party that was ensuing. I'll give them a lot of credit for courage in dropping it like it's hot in a gigantic vat of estrogen fueled by some liquor and a corporate post Harry adrenaline surge. It's a wonder they didn't get eaten alive!

Who would have know that  Harry's band members enjoyed dancing to Justin Timberlake tunes as much as I do?