Home for the Holidays

After only 2 1/2 weeks in Branson, we managed to escape to Phoenix for the holidays and avoid sub-zero temperatures while we were gone. It is back up to 65 degrees in Branson now, and Phoenix has dipped to 50 today, so we're ready to return tomorrow. We must be telling everyone how cold it is there, because almost all of our Christmas gifts were warm-themed. We got sweatshirts and jackets, an electric blanket, and Stephanie got almost an entire outfit that you can microwave to keep warm for 30 minutes. Along with RockBand 2, that should carry us through the winter.

We'll be getting back to Branson just in time for New Years. We try to spend New Years in a different city each year, and this year will be another first. We haven't yet decided which New Year's Eve show we're going to attend, but Paul Revere & the Raiders is a strong contender (which would mark our first Branson show experience since we became locals). No matter what we do, we'll surely end up with some blog-worthy stories to share.

We hope you all had a very happy [enter holiday affiliation here] and we wish everyone a very happy new year. We hope that 2009 brings everyone happiness, peace, and trips to Branson!!!

Star sightings

It's only been about a week and we've already had our fair share of star sightings here in Branson. Stephanie met Bill Medley (you know...the Righteous Brothers..."you've lost that lovin' feelin'"...the most played song in the history of American radio...he's the tall one). FYI, Bill will be performing at the Thousand Oaks Civic Center in January, but if you want to see him, you should see him in Branson (we can get way cheaper tickets).

I got to hang out with Tony Orlando, the author of "Tie A Yellow Ribbon 'Round The Ole Oak Tree" and spokesperson for NutriSystem. He's a really, really nice guy.

There have been a few others coming into the office as well. Still no Andy Williams, but it's only been a week. We'll keep you posted.

One week down

Well, we've rounded out week one here in Branson. We got in about this time last Monday...not sure exactly what the temperature was, but it was well below freezing cold.

We went straight to work on Tuesday morning and spent the first couple of days meeting people and getting situated. Dinners out the first couple of nights were pretty 'normal' experiences...the scene, food, and margaritas at Chili's are pretty much the same as the one in Newbury Park, so that was nice. However, we also had our first lunch at a Wal-Mart (and not just any Wal-Mart...until a few weeks ago, this was the largest Wal-Mart on Earth!). Did some grocery shopping there too, but still haven't found the tofu taco meat section.

Our stuff finally showed up on Saturday morning, so we spent the entire weekend unpacking and arranging...nice to have our stuff, though. Between working, happy hours, unpacking, and must see TV, we haven't had too much time to explore or do much else yet.

We have a lot to do both at the house and at work over the next couple of weeks before we head back to Arizona for Christmas. We're thinking about all of you every day and hope you are all doing well.

Love, Brian and Stephanie