Highlights from the Highway
June 4, 2010

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Today has been all about some deep belly laughs! Wish you all could have been with us to experience the goodness! I’m sure one of my road mates will fill you in on all my stellar blonde moments.

I especially loved tonight’s event because I got to catch up with some old friends. Nick and Dianna Cash’02, and Grant Kersey ’06 came and we shared some great laughs reminiscing about the “good ole days” on the Hill. I love being able to just pick up conversation with old friends like no time has passed. Isn’t that what true friendship is all about? Shorter has without a doubt provided me with the opportunity to meet some incredible people.

Counting us there were 19 people who came out to the Mellow Mushroom. Yesterday was of course fun, but I really enjoyed getting to talk with everyone and hear stories about their time on the Hill. For a couple of ladies that graduated in the forties things have really changed. Yet we all have a common thread in our stories—a love for Shorter!

Chip, Mallory and I all have our strengths and it's fun to sit back and watch them come together to create another awesome event! Speaking of strengths, Mallory just broke into the helium tank and is singing Lady Gaga - good quality entertainment!

Till next time,

Rach

Well our Columbus dinner at Mellow Mushroom was far from mellow. I’m starting to really get good vibes about this tour. Not that I had bad vibes before, but I was a bit apprehensive about certain things. And I must say that to see the alumni come out tonight to our small get together (small being about 19 or 20 folks) was great. We all chatted and enjoyed a wonderful dinner….maybe a little too much dinner. I should have gotten some elastic waist khaki pants especially for this trip. *note to self*

Our ride down to Columbo-town was fun! Anne Marie, Chip’s lovely other half, joined us and thank goodness for her. She was able to keep Chip somewhat well-behaved. Rachel and I have our work cut out for us when she’s gone that’s for sure.

Shout out to Janie Jones!! She gave us an emergency jumper cable kit and we actually needed it tonight! One of the alums left her lights on during dinner and killed her battery. No worries, folks. Shorter University came to her rescue. Yea, we’re awesome like that. And she agreed.

Once we were all packed and ready to go in the van, we couldn’t find the keys. I sure didn’t have them and Rachel swore up and down she didn’t have them either. So Anne Marie, Rachel and I ganged up on poor Chipper and blamed him for our lost keys. Calm, cool and collected, Chip responded with “Rachel, did you check your pockets??” Sure enough, the keys were in her back pockets. We all got a laugh and apologized to Chip for not giving him enough credit. I mean hey, I just figured the keys were buried underneath his trash pile in the front seat. Boys!! Ugh!!

Now we’re on our way to the wild and crazy town of Opelika, Alabama (only kidding…its probably got 1 stoplight). We’re sleeping at a hotel there and leaving bright and early for our lovely luncheon in Birmingham at the home of Joe and Suzanne Hopkins. Kathy G. and Company is catering, and I’m excited! I’ve heard rave reviews on their cuisine! Google ‘em if you get the chance. Yum!

It's official, I’ve written far too much. My bad.

Over and out,

Mal

Alright, so on the Columbus leg of the University Road Tour….fun times. Ride down was through some heavy rain but luckily all the logo stickers stayed on the van. Mellow Mushroom was a great location—good food, private room, and 19 alumni and family came out to visit.

Highlights from the day:

• Meeting new friends and catching up with old ones
• Rachel perfectly packing the van (while talking about how poorly CHIP packs the van)
• Losing the van keys
• Rachel unpacking the van only to realize the keys were in her back pocket the entire time
• After having a CD get stuck in the cd player, Rachel and I relived our college days by trying to remember the songs from WOW 2001
• Mallory singing Lady Gaga after sucking helium out of a Shorter balloon
• Shout out to Janie Jones for giving us a roadside emergency kit for our car which came in handy when one of our alums had a dead battery after the event

You Stay Classy San Diego,

Chip