Hey, saw a good movie that I don’t think a lot of folks saw. It’s called Gone Baby Gone and was directed by Ben Affleck. (I didn’t know that until we were watching the extras, but he did a really good job.)

The movie is shot in Boston where he’s from, and his brother, who is the main character in the movie. And it really gives you a sense for what it’s like there. Like the accent. Boston’s is definitely crazier than ours. Words that end in “r” you get rid of the “r.” “Car” becomes “cah.” But words that end in “a” you add an “r.” Like “china” becomes “chiner.”

I used to work with a guy from Brookline, Mass., and he had the same accent. It’s one of the great things about traveling that you get to experience how different things “ah” in different places.;-)

Later,
Dane

My mom collects roosters. They’ve taken over her house. Not real roosters! No, I mean anything that has roosters on it. Like she has rooster paintings, a rooster rug, rooster dishtowels, all kinds of stuff.

People have been getting them for her for years. But everyone knows that I find the best ones. So for her birthday coming up I hit Eight Ave. South, which has a lot of antique shops. Because the secret is she likes them if they’re old!

Eighth Ave. South is not far from downtown and has great places on both sides of the street. It’s probably the city’s best area for antiques. They even have a monthly auction at Douglas Corner that gets packed.

And it’s right near Arnold’s Country Kitchen, one of Dane’s favorite places! As for what I got, my mom reads the blog so I’m not saying!

See ya!
Jennifer

One of the best classes I had at MTSU when I was there was an art class. Part of it was the professor, who was awesome because he made it so interesting. But I really enjoyed learning about all those famous paintings!

And I love Monet. It was incredible to see how his painting changed when he began to go blind when he got older. I also liked when he painted the same thing but in different seasons, like the haystacks. Really interesting.

So I was excited to see that his work is now at the Frist. And he’s not the only one. The show has work from a lot of really famous painters like Cézanne, Dalí, Gauguin, Matisse, Picasso and Vincent Van Gogh.

But they’re only there till May 1!

TTFN,
Jennifer

OK, I just need to ask for a moment of silence here for our local Nashville Predators. It wasn’t meant to be. It’s been one of those years – but for four years in a row!

After making the playoffs the last three years and getting bounced in the first round, this was going to be our year. We’d found a new owner, shaken up the roster and got a new lease at the Sommet. Everything was in place.

We started the season slow, but by the end I thought we were ready. Then we dropped games 5 and 6 to Dallas for our fourth year in a row failing to make the second round. We just can’t seem to win when we’re not playing in Nashville, which I suppose says something about Nashville fans.

Oh well, thanks for the run, Preds! Next year.

Later,
Dane

If you’re going to be in Nashville on April 26, and you’re looking for something to do, why not lace up your running shoes and do the Country Music Marathon?  Hey, there’s a 1/2 marathon, too!

It’s actually a great event that the city is really proud of. I was a cheerleader, so you’ll see me on the sidelines. But if you do run, it’s a cool course that takes you around the Music Row Roundabout and past some of the city’s top sights.

And this is Music City, right? So all along the way there are like 50 bands playing. The music keeps going after the race too at the big after party. This year Steve Cropper and his band are headlining, which should be great!

Just think how good your bed at Hotel Preston will feel that night!

TTFN!
Jennifer

Movies, movies, movies! Every year I forget about the Nashville Film Festival but then get to enjoy the surprise when I remember about it! I love movies! We watch a lot on DVD, but there’s nothing better than going to the theater. It’s all about the popcorn!:-)

I just did some checking and didn’t know that the film festival is one of the longest-running in the country! And one of the largest in the region (though I’m not sure what they mean by “region”).

This year they received over 1700 entries and chose about 200. All the movies are at the Regal Green Hills Stadium 16 and run until April 24. And I looked at the list – there is every kind of movie you could think of! Opening night sounded like an interesting one with William H. Macy!

See you there!
Jennifer

Hey, while we’re on the subject of racing, if watching the NASCAR events around Nashville got your driving muscles itching, you should do a little racing of your own. I’m talking go karts.

Last year we did go karts for part of my nephew’s bachelor party and had a blast. There a few places around the city where you can go. I have only been to the first one, but I’m betting they’re all pretty similar.

1. Grand Old Golf – It’s out on Music Valley Dr. As the name suggests they’ve also got mini golf.
2. Europa Go Karts & Golf – On Old Hickory Blvd. Not sure why the combo of go karts and golf, but it seems pretty common.
3. Blue Ribbon Racing – Over on 4th Ave. South

Start yerrr engines!

See ya,
Dane

Yes! I love race time! It means spring and that summer is just around the corner! Seriously, even if you’re not all NASCAR and everything, which I’m not really, it is so fun to go out and just have a good time.

What’s the best? I guess it depends on what you like. I think it’s just great to be outside in the summer when it’s warm and having a few beers with friends. Usually when we go we go for the Friday night drag races, which are awesome! They’re at the Motorplex.

But Saturday has Saturday Night Thunder! I’m not going to tell you what it is. You’re just going to have to go and find out for yourself!

TTFN,
Jennifer

It’s NASCAR time, people! There’s nothing we get quite as excited about down this way than our racing. OK, music, true, but NASCAR has got to be a close second.

So if you’re down this way from now through the summer, you’ve got to go check it a race. Because this is big time. And from Nashville you have two really good options for seeing some first-rate racing.

Music City Motorplex ― This is a NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racetrack at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds. It’s also one of the oldest tracks in the country. It used to have the Grand National/Winston Cup.

Nashville Superspeedway ― This one is about 30 miles out of town in Gladeville. It was only built in 2001 and has races for the IRL IndyCar Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. And monster trucks!

See you later,
Dane

It was weird. I was curious about movies filmed in Nashville and did a search on Google and what should come up but our blog! Pretty cool. Wish I could say the same of the list. I guess I know why we’re not Movie City, USA.

So here’s a better list, famous people who are from Tennessee or at least lived here during their life. Some good ones in here.

Al Gore Sr./Jr. – Sr. was a state representative and senator. You all know who Jr. is.
Alex Haley – Wrote “Roots” and other books. There’s a statue of him in Knoxville.
Aretha Franklin – Born in Memphis.
Bobby Hamilton – NASCAR driver. He was born right here in Nashville.
Justin Timberlake – I guess he’s pretty famous these days. Born in Memphis.

For more, check out the Tennessee Trivia web site (which is full of cool stuff).

See ya,
Dane