Trip to a local bank

So, I had to visit a local bank for work business. The bank is not my personal bank or one that we use at the firm. Just a local bank that we randomly do business with occassionaly. I'm not usually a fan of going to this bank because I don't feel as if I receive "quality" service there. Today I was pleasantly surprised! The (newest) branch manager spoke to me and seemed happy to have a customer in the bank. Typically I felt like a leper and each employee seemed unwilling to talk to me for fear that I would ask for their help. Wonderful surprise! I hope the new branch manager does well and turns the branch into a great place. My second observation was of the only other customer in the branch. She was wearing a muumuu that went all the way to the floor and covered her feet. The sleeves were so billowy that they would probably cover her hands if she put her arms down. The pattern of the muumuu was black and white stripped. My first instinct was to hold up a baby lion cub and single "Circle of Life" from The Lion King. I swear if she had a headdress she could have performed with the Broadway musical of said movie...interesting! And my final observation of the visit was with the teller that waited on me! She has lost her eyebrows somehow. She's either never had them or she's removed them by force. And to compensate for her lack of eyebrows she decided to draw some on her face with the help of a makeup pencil. I understand this process, however, I did not understand why she felt the need to draw geometric shapes on her face inches above here her natural brow-line was...and then fill in the space between her eyelashes and her drawn on brows with a very shimmery eye shadow. It was a startling combination that made me want to stare and therefore I tried not to look at her geometric shaped and colored areas for fear of offending. Baby, that aint' natural! That short trip made my day and I just had to share!

Cadillac Records & Shem Creek

Last week I watched Cadillac Records. Yet another movie I chose for the actors and not the story. I hope you can follow me on this, the story was GREAT but the movie was okay. Cadillac Records is about the true story of Chess Records. Leonard Chess found and cultivated such talent as Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Howlin' Wolf, Chuck Berry and Etta James. The story of how Chess Records came to be and how all of these great musicians dealt with the growing and changing times during American history was full of drama and intensity. If you love music then I highly recommend this movie. This movie honestly helped me to understand where all of our current (and even classic) music comes from. These guys influenced the Rolling Stones, the Beatles...and too many others to list. If you're a music lover then check out this movie. You won't necessarily love the movie but you'll love the story and appreciate music just a little more. If you know me well then you know that I love nerds. I'm a sucker for them. That's my "type". I even have a t-shirt that says I "heart" nerds. Well, Adrien Brody is 6'1" of pure nerd and one of my top celebrity crushes! He played Leonard Chess, the founder of Chess Records...and I've been a fan of his for a LONG time. Beyonce played Etta James and she was so atypical (translation - not Beyonce) that I actually enjoyed her. Give it a shot. It is a truly great story and one that every music fan should know. As for my most recent book, I just finished Shem Creek by Dorothea Benton Frank. I am head of heels in love with Dot Frank. She is so funny! I always enjoy and appreciate a funny book but a funny, southern, chick-lit book...it just doesn't get any better than that! Reading books by Dot Frank is like visiting a friend that I didn't know I had. I went to Charleston and Myrtle Beach with my parents when I was 12. I swear that reading these books is like reading something from a pen pal that I kept in touch with over the years. I don't feel like I'm reading a novel...I feel like I'm hanging out with some friends. She's so stinking funny! I love that the books slowly intertwine and connect. The stories are not continuous but the characters keep popping up in the books. It's just great fun. I haven't started the fourth book yet. Right now I'm reading a hysterical book sent to me by a dear friend. I can't wait to pass it along. I haven't decided who should receive it yet but it's super fun and easy so keep a look out because it might be headed your way!