JOB INTERVIEW!!!!!!

After freaking out that I might not find work and the whole move would be for nothing...I received a phone call. Only one day after applying online for a few positions at House of Blues I received a call and now have my first LIVE interview since 2003!! I'm super excited and;of course nervous, but this would be a great opportunity. The position I will be interviewing for is the Foundation Room Sales Coordinator. On paper it looks like I'd be assisting the Sales Managers...glorified secretary?...maybe. I would also be involved in the preparation and execution of events at the venue. The Foundation Room is the VIP room at the HOB...so a great way to network with more people. Anyway everyone keep their fingers crossed and pray!! The interview is this Tuesday @ 3pm(6pm EST), I'll keep you updated on how it goes.

Our Cross Country Journey (OH to CA in 5 days)

Hello Everyone!! After finding out Andy and Hadassah started a blog to keep everyone posted on their journey together, we thought it would be a great way to let everyone know how we are doing as well.

Day 1 8.14.08

After tearful goodbyes in Columbus and Cincinnati we filled the car with gas and set out West. Our destination for day 1 was Bridgeton, MO, just NW of St. Louis. Let me just say right now, as much as I have enjoyed living in the Midwest, it's a boring drive.


So I enriched my mind with NPR all the way from Cincy to outside Indy. Other than the current events of the day, I learned alot about the production/destruction/reintroduction of the electric car. Most notable, Tesla (no not the 80's hair band) has created a roadster which can go 0-60 in 3.9 seconds!!! It can reach speeds of 125mph, travel 220miles between charges, and only needs to charge for 3.5hrs. Pretty amazing...however, the major downside is the price tag....$109,000. But don't let this get you down, I will gladly accept this as a gift....no worries.

Day 2 8.15.08

Leaving Bridgeton we made our way on I-70 towards Hays, KS. Again, the drive was pretty flat and kinda boring. Luckily, before we left Ohio I purchased a hand-held DVD player to make the 5 day trip seem shorter. Danni absolutely loved it!! I'm sure I would have enjoyed it as well, but I did all the driving. In fairness, she offered to drive everyday, but I turned it down.


Upon our arrival in Hays, KS, which was not a bad location to end our second day of travel, we took Lucy for a long walk through the surrounding neighborhoods. From what I gathered, Hays is a farming town with the lowest crime rate in Kansas, and they have much to offer to history buffs at Fort Hays. Which was an important U.S. Army post from 1865 to 1889. It stationed troops to protect stage and freight wagons on their way to Denver. Nice place...I would recommend it to anyone traveling through Kansas.







Day 3 8.16.08

I woke up early and decided to enjoy the peaceful Kansas morning by taking Lucy on a big way down the main drag. Along the way she made friends with local joggers and walkers...as usual. The carnival was in town!!! Lucy wanted to become a Carny, but I convinced her a leisurely life in the California sun would be a better career choice.

Back to the car!!! As we leave it starts to sprinkle and the growing dark clouds foreshadow the up coming storm.



It rained most of the third day, which was fine on the flat Kansas/Colorado roads before Denver. It was after Denver things got tense with slippery conditions in the mountains and not to mention....cold! I'm not a professional meteorologist, but there shouldn't be snow on the ground the second week of August!!!

Frisco, CO is beautiful!!! Despite the brisk 40 degrees and drizzle we went walking (in shorts, because our long pants were packed) when we arrived and at 6am the next morning...hoping to see an awesome sunrise over the Rocky Mountains...to our dismay there was too much overcast and clouds. Still an amazing place I would love to visit again soon!


I've started working on convincing the old man to purchase a place in Frisco...maybe these photos will help

Day 4 8.17.08
As previously mentioned we woke up at 6am on Sunday morning to take a scenic walk before our trip to St. George, UT. After grabbing some coffee and muffins at the local Safeway we packed up and hit the road.

Although it was the longest day (9.5 hrs) it was probably one of the best. The breath taking Rocky Mountains, ski resorts, and twisting Colorado River made the trip. I'm tempted to fly into Denver and drive to Utah to see everything again...it's that great! Tree lined roads turn to rock sculptures and the 40 degrees quickly increased to 90.

I keep thinking how long did it take to construct this highway? The time and man power it must have taken to build I-70 through the mountain terrain boggles my mind.





Danni takes the wheel with 120 miles until St. George...I gave up control...for once. We arrive at the Budget Inn and Suite (which I highly recommend if anyone finds themselves in St. George, UT) and continue with the routine we've followed the past 4 days. All the hours in the car begins to wear on us so we go to bed early and wake up at 6...again...but this time it feels different. We were almost there!

Day 5 8.18.08



It's our final day of traveling...and even Lucy's excited!!!


We have come so far and seen so much, but it can't seem to come soon enough. All of us want to get out of the car, but we don't. We filled up the tank and didn't stop until we reached the promise land...except for the time I missed highway 10 in California...yea I made a mistake...hehe Danni won't let me live it down. Oh and how could I forget....Carrot Top is playing Las Vegas if anyone is interested...yeah I didn't think so. At 1:15pm PST we finally arrive!!!! We walk right in and are warmly welcomed by a fraction of the Murphy household. We spent the rest of the day being lazy and decompressing from the hours confined in our mobile prison cell. This is the view from our backyard...ok it's Danni's parents backyard.
We're extremely excited to be here, but also anxious for what the future holds.

One thing is for sure....Lucy's enjoying all the attention and luxury of a Hollywood Hound.



Well next week is Hawaii....yeah it's a hard life, but someone has to live it. I'll keep you updated after we get back. Miss everyone already and hope to see some visitors soon!!

Love to all,

Jim and Danni