Hollywood.....in Knoxville?

Each year Knoxville hosts a red carpet Hollywood movie premiere as a fundraiser. This year the movie was Journey to the Center of tne Earth. It is the first ever made live-action 3D movie. It stars Brendan Fraiser (Mummy movies, George of the Jungle) and Josh Hutcherson (Bridge to Teribethea, Zathura).
Going to church at a movie theater, we tend to be in the know about upcoming events. As soon as Hope spotted the poster she decided she wanted to go. For the next week after she bought her ticket she tried to convince her friends to go. Unable to persuade the parents, she was perfectly comfortable going it alone (I was not so comfortable).
The sold out premiere seven hundred ticket event was held at the Pinnacle 18 theater that houses 3 IMAX theaters along with regular theaters. I suprised Hope with a cut and style for the big night. When we arrived we were greeted by police and were only allowed to enter the parking lot by showing the pass. TV news crews, radio stations along with a live band joined the throng. After walking down the red carpet, Hope went in to enjoy a catered dinner.

After dinner she was able to greet the stars and was able to get a seat in the first row. The stars along with the director spoke about the film and then they showed Journey to the Center of the Earth. Afterwards they had six drawings and wouldn't you know Hope won a $50 gift certificate.

Hope made friends with the girl sitting next to her, but the real highlight for her, came after everything was done. I had asked someone in charge how long would the event be; he told me 9:30pm; he was mistaken. I got a text from Hope at 9:00pm asking us where we were. Panicked, I texted her back and go over there as soon as I could.
In the meantime, while Hope was waiting, Josh Hutcherson came out and struck up a conversation with Hope. They talked about his movie he just finished filming (one of her favorite book series) and he told us where he lives; incidentally, he lives about 3 1/2 hours north of us in KY. So when I drove up expecting an angry teenager instead I got a beaming girl. She could not have had a better night. -Tina

What A Hoot!

Last night was a fantastic night and a reminder of why we moved to eastern Tennessee! It is Honda Hoot time in Knoxville! I have been riding my Honda Reflex and have enjoyed the company as the roads have been filled with bikes. Not just Hondas, but all brands of bikes.

Last night was The Hoot Bike Show at World's Fair Park. We went down and strolled around looking at bike after bike. They were beautiful!

I am posting a number of pictures to help you get an idea of how many bikes there were. I just wish my friend Bill could have been here for this. I would have even barbequed a couple hot dogs for him.

There were bikes all over downtown Knoxville.

The headquarters for The Hoot is at Chillhowee Park, not to far from where I work. I heard on the local news that last year's event brought in 16,000 people.

The promoters were hoping for 20,000 this year. Haven't heard how close they are to that goal.

It seemed that during last night's event when bikes would leave even more would come in to replace them. The promoters did a great job of organizing this show and keeping things moving when bikes had to leave.

One of the most interesting bikes we saw had to be this one. It is a Honda Reflex, the same model as I own, only this one has some added features.

I don't think these were added by the factory.

Hope took a video of the fireworks at the end of the Bike Show. -Norm

Happy Father's Day

What a great day it's been! Our day started out by attending church at Crossings. Our pastor is on vacation, so the Worship and Creative Arts pastor spoke. He was continuing a series about life's biggest questions. I think it was the best explaination of Calvinism and Armenianism I have every heard.

Following church we went shopping for lunch. I had requested BBQ hot dogs. I got a brand new grill for Father's Day. I had to assemble it which took part of the afternoon.

As I was on my way to the garage, Grace stopped me and handed me a hat she had created. I am a Jimmie Johnson (NASCAR) fan. She made it last night before going to bed. I love it!

While I was in the garage Hope came down and put a cd in the player. It was the soundtrack to O Brother Where Art Thou? We all really like that movie so it was a great suprise and made the assembly all the more sweeter! When I was finished we fired up the new grill for hot dogs and turkey burgers. Tina suprised me with one of my favorites.... potato salad. When we moved from California we sold our grill at our yard sale. It is so great to have a new one.It will get alot of use.


We also purchased a badmitton set. Grace and Hope tried it out this afternoon. We all played this evening and had a great time until it was just to dark to see the birdee.

It has been a wonderful Father's Day! I am so blessed with such a great family.

-Norm

Our First House Guest

Our first week-long house guest came in a form of a brindle-colored, panting, wide-tongued boxer named Samson. Our friend, Katie was going to South Carolina for the week and since Mitchell was still moping around the house (Mitchell spent the week at Samson's house when we went to CA), we offered to take Samson.
Samson can lick the entire side of your face with one lusty lick and loses most of his fluids through drooling; Mitchell adores him. When they play catch Samson loves to grab the ball while Mitchell just follows him around barking at Samson if he strays; never once letting Samson out of his sight. Since Samson is taller than Mitchell, I was worried Samson could jump the fence so we only left the house once all together for Norm's 45th birthday.
It was great having another dog and got us combing through the shelters for Mitchell a playmate (preferably one that doesn't leave a slobber trail).

They've Heard About Us In New York........

36 Hours In Knoxville
Here's a recent article that appeared in the New York Times about Knoxville. Hopefully it will help you to understand a few of the reasons we really like it here.

-Norm