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

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

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

Hey ya’ll, we’ve made some changes to our book offerings at the Hotel and we’re generating some coverage for it. If you haven’t already heard, we are now offering a brand spankin’ new Spiritual Menu.

“What is a Spiritual Menu?” you ask. Now instead of one religious text we offer a variety. So when you come and stay at the Hotel Preston (which I’m sure you will!) you can call down to the front desk and order any good book you see fit. In addition to the traditional Bible, you’ll find our Spiritual Menu from which you can order all kinds of religious texts including but not limited to:

• The King James Version of the Bible
• The New American Bible
• The Torah
• The Quran
• The Tao Te Ching
• The Four Noble Truths of Buddhism
• The Book of Mormon
• Books on Scientology
• The sacred Hindu text: Bhagavad Gita

I like it because it gives me the chance to learn about other people’s ideas and backgrounds. But basically we are trying to make everyone feel at home when they’re away from home. Yes, even you Scientologists out there!

The story originally broke on the Tennessean.com and made its way onto the home page of Yahoo! Now it’s all over the net. Most of the coverage has been positive; like on this post over at AMHB Lodging and Hospitality News (thanks for talking about us!).

Hopefully ya’ll will see that we’re trying to be accommodating to all our patrons.

So next time you’re in Nashville and you wanna snuggle up, watch Top Gun, and read the book of Scientology, I hope you choose to stay with us at the Hotel Preston!

Feelin’ the need for speed,
Dane

OK everybody I need ya’ll to listen up. This morning two guests came over and told us they were having a little debate. They wanted to know is it Nash-ville, rhymes with pill, or Nash-vull, rhymes with bull.

I guess you could get different answers depending on who you talk to, but we agreed the man was right. It’s Nash-vull. At least that’s how we locals say it. The other way is fine. It’s not like you’re saying it wrong. But I think our way is just more relaxed and easy going. Like we are!

But the problem isn’t really Nashville, it’s other words you’ll have to learn like Sommet, Schermerhorn, Demonbreun, Kalodimos. We’ve got a lot of weird ones. But I’m not going to tell you how to pronounce them. You’re just going to have come up to us at the desk and find out!

TTFN,
Jennifer

Oh, I wanted to mention that I have actually seen a guest bring their cat in with them. The best part? I’ll be darned if she didn’t have it on a leash. I kid you not. Strangest thing I ever saw. I seem to recall that the animal even had its own luggage.

While we’re talking about pets, I just ran across a story that just really got me. It’s for all the animals that survived the tornado in Macon County on February 5th but haven’t been claimed by their owners yet. It just breaks your heart.

So, if you’re from Macon Co. and lost a pet, check with the Nashville Humane Society. Otherwise, anyone looking to give a lost animal a good home, these pets will be available for adoption after March 9. You can check the web site for more information.

See ya,
Dane

I know Juno didn’t win the Oscar, but it should’ve! It is so great and so cute! Andrew and I saw it last night. If you haven’t gone yet you have to. The girl who plays Juno is perfect. And the one kid from Superbad who plays her boyfriend is really good too.

I love movies that make me laugh and cry. I hate them if they have a lot of blood or violence, and definitely not where any animals are hurt in it. But this was just a sweet story about this girl who gets pregnant and is trying hard to figure out what to do and who she is.

Oh, and her parents are great, too! The man who plays her Dad definitely should’ve got nominated. Anyway, if you’re looking for a movie that will make you feel good when it’s over see Juno.

TTFN!
Jennifer

It’s not built yet, but Nashville is supposed to eventually be home to what will be the third tallest building in the U.S. We’re going big city, ya’ll! It’s called The Signature Tower, and it’s going to be so tall that the FAA says it will have to change flight patterns.

Whenever it’s done (they say 2009), it’s supposed to be 1,057 feet high and some 70 stories, beating out the Bank of America building in Atlanta by 33 feet. It will have condos, a hotel, shopping, offices and who knows what all else. (If you’re looking to relocate, the one bedrooms are apparently starting at $400K.)

If you want to see where’s it’s going to go, and where your plane is not going to go anymore, walk down to the southwest corner of Church and Fifth Avenue North (behind the AT&T (or “Batman”) building), and look straight up.

Till later,
Sabrina