Did you dip your toe in the MEDITERRANEAN?

I finally tore Jenny away from the world of wigs and sunglasses. That big Mediterranean, only two blocks away, was calling my name!

We strolled along the coast, basking in the glory of what was left of the warm sun and the ocean view. There was a nice bikepath, and some serious runners in the area - so it was fun to observe the different types of people hanging out by the ocean. This area was under intense development - so it wasn't the prettiest of sights - but nonetheless we were next to the Mediterranean Sea in BARCELONA, BABY!!!

I was so grateful for the weather and this opportunity, and that my camera was still functioning! I can still feel the warm breeze and hear the muted conversations of different visitors taking it all in.

Here is my picture story of the rest of the daylight day in Barcelona...night-time was a different story!

Yes, yes, of course I DID!!!

One way to dip your toe in...

Interesting sights in Barcelona...

Cool breezy bike trail , right next to the ocean's edge. Breathe in...I can feel the breeze and the warmth of this moment!Yes - I dipped my toe - and my feet - into the deep blue (and sand!) of the Mediterranean in BARCELONA, BABY!

Caught this one just before the sun went down -

I had to stick in a regular ocean shot here...

Barcelona - Mediterranean highway, dusky but cool

Europe - pause for the NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!!

OH YEAH!!!!! GOING TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!

HANG ON SLOOPY!!!! GO BUCKS!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

For those of you who don't already know, I was privileged to attend the Ohio State - Michigan game on Saturday. You know the one. The game of the century!!! This is all thanks to my good buddy and pal, Jenny! Thanks for the opportunity of a lifetime!!!!

Now, of course, there has to be a story. I haven't had a good adventure in a while. :) I was overdue for one!!!

A really great view of the Shoe.

What a perfect day for tailgating!

Okay, so we went to the Skull session and hung out. This was an awesome experience with the best damn band in the land. The bonus was, they unexpectedly brought out the team! It was a huge pep rally! Troy spoke of his 5 years at OSU and Jim Tressel spoke briefly. It was just the shot in the arm everyone needed! There were no seats in St. John's - we had to sit on the stairs!!

When we were done there, we had missed finding people we knew that were tailgating, and we were hungry! We couldn't find any food to buy before we got in the stadium, everything was sold out! My brave friend Jenny (no holds barred) happened upon one unfortunate tailgater who couldn't tell her "no" when she said "her friend was going to pass out from hunger" (yes - I ran and hid). But, we did get a free brat out of it! Thanks, um, Greg? Eric? Josh? Howard????? (sorry, didn't catch his name! resident at OSU!)

As we were enjoying our free brat, what you don't see pictured here is the the Cameron Mitchell van - we paused to gaze at the freshly made Buckeye candy...this is where we found ourselves with a nice-man-who-worked-there who gave us "some jello in a little bowl"!

So, that was our brief tailgating adventure before entering the stadium for the showdown!!! You could FEEL the excitement!

We got to the stadium in time for some pre-game action. We decided to get a closer view than our seats would allow (we were to be in 27D, a great bird's eye view - but not too close!) so we jaunted into the main level and took a peek. The nice man checking tickets looked the other way and told us to hop down and take a picture of the Heisman trophy, which we didn't end up seeing...but while I was there looking, I called Teddy Ginn's name and he looked right at me for this picture! This one is for you, Ian!

Hmmm, well what do you know. The view here is a lot better than 27D! And, did you notice, the camera is right behind us!!! Wow, wouldn't it be nice to watch the game from here - in the 3rd row???

The South Stand - full of Buckeyes waving the game day towels and a lonely corner of the Blue and Maize...

Not sure how this happened...all of a sudden, we were swept into the middle of the stands! There was no getting out now! The game was ON and right in front of us!!! Row 3 in the end zone, BABY!

WOO HOO what a VIEW!!!

Eddie George, a legendary part of OSU football. I was close enough to snap this pic!

Don't think for a second I wasn't part of the crowd that stormed the field!!!! We were a bit spooked by the police in the riot gear, but they were just there to protect their beloved goal posts...but not the sod...now for sale on e-bay!

It was amazing to be a part of this!!!

FINAL SCORE OSU 42 MICHIGAN 39!!!!

And did you all hear what the Ohio Lottery PICK 4 number was, hours later?? 4239!!!!!!

BEST WISHES TO OSU IN THE QUEST FOR THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!!! GO BUCKS!!!!

Blonde or Brunette? Vote here...

I know you have always had that burning question...do blondes REALLY have more fun??
I certainly have wanted to know, having always been a brunette, surrounded by blonde friends! But I could never try anything so drastic, not in front of those I know! So, how better to find out than thousands of miles away in a mall in Barcelona? I must admit, at that moment in time I was having a lot of fun. But then again, that is the norm for me!
By the way, this was a pit stop in the mall to help Jenny find some sunglasses. Shopping with Jenny is such an adventure. Anyone who knows her would agree.
Should we go with the yellow ones? How about the yellow ones? Oh, no, not those, we need the yellow ones!

Just a small sidebar - how appalling! A European woman in an ad and she is clearly not wearing appropriate undergarments!!!! (As Jenny has so eloquently pointed out here!) And she is taking my picture!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So....what is the verdict?? Should I go blonde????!!!!!

The taste of Spain by the Sea

Ahem, ahem...yes, I know I have been negligent. My ratings are down! I need to bring you back to my beloved blog! And what better way than to let you taste Spain the way we did!!!

After thoroughly enjoying our view from the hotel, we were ravenous. I had been craving outdoor dining anyway, one of my most favorite things to do. I discovered Jenny had not had paella, and I had never had it with the Meditteranean sea blowing through my hair, so we found a little place and began our indulgence! Here, by the way, my Spanish was definitely kicking in and becoming necessary! What fun!

It felt so good to enjoy the sun and this sweet dining spot!

A TRUE PAELLA, Meditteranean style!

Up close and personal with the Paella

Spring was in bloom in Barcelona. I can still smell the fragrance of these beautiful flowers in bloom. Why does this seem so long ago now?

Ahhh, decadent dessert!

From here the day was ours to continue enjoying. However, we had to make one stop - Jenny couldn't find her sunglasses...stay tuned for the next few hours of Barcelona!