Find The Beat Again to the Incredible Machine - Sugarland Rigging Collapse

"When the skies up above you fill, with grey and stormy clouds.

And there's not a single face you know, in the maddening crowd.

When you know that you don't make your way but you just can't see how.

When your worries, they won't let you sleep, and rob you of your days...

And you've looked in all directions but you still can't find your way.

When you just need someone to remind you that it's all gonna be ok. 

I will shine the light." 

-Sugarland's "Shine The Light"

Right before the roof ripped off.

I was at the Sugarland Concert Saturday night when the rigging collapsed! I am safe and the people I was with are too. We were and are still a little shaken up about it. This how I remember that concert...

I was sitting with Alias in row 32 in seats 1 and 2. 3 of my co workers were in row 30 in seats 15 - 17.

While the opening act was on, behind the stage you could see a storm coming with some lighting. But it was no where near us. Having a smart iPhone, I pulled up my weather radar to see how far off the storm was. When I pulled it up the whole entire north and west side of the state of Indiana was in green and there were heavy bands of red and orange. Alias made the comment "good thing we are undercover if it rains."

While we were waiting for the stage crew to reset the stage for Sugarland you could see the storm coming. The stage crew had finished setting up when an official for the state fair came on to the stage to tell us there was a storm coming. They were going to proceed on with the show but if it got worse they would stop the show and evacuate us to three different locations. (Sign # 1 this was going to be bad)

Right after that was said, Alias turned to me and said he should video tape the storm coming in cause from the west it was getting dark as in pitch black. The temperature drop significantly and it got a little breezy. (Sign #2) So, I decided to pull up the radar again but my service was extremely slow. (Sign #3)  But I was too busy putting our cameras and stuff in my purse preparing for the rain. As soon as I zipped up my purse and looked up you could see the dust from the gravel parking lot in the infield picking up. I turned to Alias and said, "It would suck sitting down there on the track right now with the wind picking up and blowing all the dust and dirt around."

We both looked further to the west of the fair where all rides were and they started to disappeared into the dust and dirt. You started to see people run from the track cause of the dirt. Alias and I just sat there taking in the storm. We started watching the stage and watching the wind picked up. All of sudden you heard people sitting on the west side of the stands scream; it looked and felt as if a tornado had touch down - the dirt and dust swirling around. The back drops on the stage started flapping in the wind and the trap on the roof ripped in half and started blowing all over the place. Next thing I saw was the stage shift to the right and then forward. I wasn't sure if it was the rigging that was moving or the grand stands. 

After it collapsed.

I remember seeing a man or a woman in a white shirt and jeans on the track watching the rigging shift right and then forward. As it fell forward, they turned and started running towards the grand stand but didn't make it fast enough. I watched the rigging fall and fall right on top of them. That person in a white shirt and jeans on the track was gone and underneath the rigging. I just sat there in shock and awe. Alias grabbed me and told me to get up and move over to the section next to us cause no one was sitting in those seats. The people next to us where pushing and shoving trying to fly down the stairs. 

When I realized what I had just witnessed my body went into shock and I was shaking so bad. While I was in shock and watching everyone was running out of the grand stands or towards the stage, I need to find my co workers. I spotted them and they came and sat with us. We sat there and waited out the wind storm. While we were sitting there you could hear the wind trying to rip off the roofing which made my nerves even worse.

After the rigging collapsed.

 Once everyone had cleared the stands we decide to walk out and walk over to the Swine Barn which right across the stands. It was a brick building and I felt ten times safer in there. Plus there were pigs and piglets that were not even 20 days old and I could play/pet them and get my mind off of what I just witnessed. 

When we walked out the grand stands there was paper everywhere and tents from the vendors picked up and just dropped any and everywhere. We made it to the barn just in time. The skies opened up and you couldn't see 25 yards in front of you cause of the rain.

We tried calling but all the phone lines were jammed. I couldn't get a call out until 10 pm.  We didn't leave the fair until 11pm cause of where we were parked was off the main road they were bring in equipment and rescue. Walking out was the eeriest thing. It looked like the world had just ended and we were the only survivors. The trolley tractors where just parked in the middle of the road and abandon. Paper and litter everywhere. Tents on their sides. No one was talking to the person they were with. Flashing lights every where.

I had a hard time sleeping on Saturday night. I can't listen to a Sugarland song without watching the vivid image replay in my head.

You should watch this video.
http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/local/marion_county/expert-explains-how-collapse-happened

http://www.cnn.com/video/ (Watch the video on the stage collapsing. This is where I was sitting watching it.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyDtQm0RWfY&feature=related   (The first half of the video is generally where I was sitting.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMpnP4Ba6K8&feature=related

"There's a comfort. There's healing high above the pain and sorrow...When the walls fall all around you. When your hope has turned to dust, let the sound of love surround you. Beat like a heart in each of us."

-Sugarland's "Stand Up"

King Of The Road, Again!

Open suitcase, clothes scattered on the floor. I don't take the time to unpack anymore. I'm making sure that I take this all in; before you know it I'll be off again.

Well, once again that time of year has arrived, where I become the King of the Road again! The next four months is full of traveling to one place to another every week. I will be traveling to Minnesota, West Virginia, Tennessee, Virginia and Pennsylvania. I have three recruitment visits - helping the chapter improve on their formal recruitment strength. I have eight visits that are repeat visits for the semester. I will be at two different universities for three weeks and another university for two weeks. I will be focusing on "restructuring" those chapters to become four star and crown of excellence chapters.

From last year's travel, I have two universities that are repeat visits. I'm excited to go back to them and see how much they have implement and see the progress that have made since the last time I was there.

The Countdown Begins

Ah, its that time again to start the countdown. We are down to less than a month until I move back to Indianapolis. I cannot wait to get back there. I cannot wait to be back with an amazing staff that is so dedicated to our mission, to be with my counterparts in our industry cause they live our big picture and I'm ready to make new memories with new people and I'm ready for another new adventure out on the road.

Since, I only have less than a month back home. Its time to soak everything in this summer cause who knows, this could be my last one at home. With that said, I'm going to go enjoy the Salt Life before I'm Indiana and there is no Salt Life!

This Is The New Year

Another year you made a promise

Another chance to turn it all around

And do not save this for tomorrow

Embrace the past and you can live for now...

Speak louder then the words before you and give them meaning no one else has found...

Say everything you've always wanted, be not afraid of who you really are, cause in the end we have each other and thats at least one thing worth living for.

This is the new year. 

A new beginning.

You made a promise.

This is the new year. 

Once again it's time to get out the pad of paper and pen and make that New Year Resolution list!
Here's my list:

1. Lose another 30 or so pounds. That's going to be challenging the first 4 months out of the year.
2. Work out while I'm out on the road traveling.
3. Land a job in with the government and start my career.
4. Apply for grad school.
5. Turn in an application to become a Greek Advisor.
6. MOVE far away again. Back to Va Beach or down to Alabama.
7. Start speaking what's on my mind to certain people.
8. Focusing on me and only me for the next year.

I'm excited for the new year. I can't wait to see what it brings me. I sure do hope its nothing but great things.

Done Deal

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."

Well... it looks like its that time of year again when we end one and start a new one. I can't believe 2010 is just about done and over with! Feels like it came and went in the blink of an eye. So many amazing things have happened this year. Had way to many good times to talk about. While there is always positives there's got be some negatives and I had a few. A recap of 2010? I think so!

Celebrating graduation with a few great friends and sisters

• Graduated college... HECK YEA! I say it was the best thing that ever happened in 2010. I know I made momma and daddy proud!

• Landed a job before before graduating... OH YEA! I had sealed the deal and signed on the dot line of that contract in March. That meant I spent the last 2 months of college focusing on studying and living up the last 2 months, while other searched high and low for jobs.
• Packed my life away into 2 suitcases... YOU BET I DID! Ok, well it really wasn't my life. More like 6 months worth of it. Let's try this again. Packed 6 months worth of my life away into 2 suitcases... check! What a pain in the rear end. How can you pack clothes for 6 months in advance especially for New York weather. But I completed the challenge. So bring it on again.
• Moved to Indianapolis... CHECK! Yea those 2 suitcases filled with 6 months worth of my life were all to move to Indy for that job that I landed 2 months prior to graduation.
• Started a whole new career and entered the Real World... I SURE DID! I'm absolutely in love with my job which has got me thinking about changing my career path and focus in grad school from forensic accounting to higher education. You talk about a huge change! Oh and entering the real world, it's not so bad. I actually like being on my own, but that's cause I'm extremely independent. Well I should say, it's not so bad until those college loans payments start rolling in. Someone wanna pay those for me? Pretty, pretty, please!
• Became King of the Road... YEA BUDDY! Taking after my daddy you could say. But I sure did become the king of the road. Traveled all of the states for the last 6 months. It's be so rewarding. I love learning about the places I go and I love hearing their impression of the south especially from those northerners. But my two favorite things, were meeting new people from different walks of life and hearing everyones' impression of my southern accent. 
• Sharing a common passion... HELL YEA WE DID! This has two parts.
• Attending Alpha Sigma Alpha's National Conventional. I met Alpha Sigs from all over the country who share the same passion, commitment, dedication, love and drive for this organization as I do. I love meeting the older ladies who shared their stories so rich and full of history, laughter, and amazing moments that will never be forgotten. Met the younger ladies who are ready to write a new piece of history.

Lived with three then four ladies for a month and half. Not only did we lived together, but we worked together and shared the same office. We pretty much did everything together. I got to live, work, and have tons of memories with ASA sisters from different chapters. It felt like they were my own chapter sisters. I love those ladies to death. We've had some crazy, crazy times in Indy. The best part is in four days I am reunited with them! 

• Met Gary from Teen Mom in Indianapolis... YEA, I DID! Is it bad that I spotted him inside a bar from 50 yards away?! After 'arguing' with one of my roommates and convinced her it was him, he walked right up beside us at the bar and I couldn't stop staring. Finally, his friend said, "Yea, that's Gary from Teen Mom!" Of course we demand proof and there was pictures of baby Leah! Then we got to take a picture with him! 

Me, Gary and Megan
Our PROOF!

• Up and left work. Went to Florida and saw my best friend... CHECK, CHECK, and CHECK! Man that was the best thing ever! That's spontaneous at its best. Also, just what this girl needed after those four demanding and stressful weeks at work. When he said book those flights and come see me this weekend, I pulled out that credit card in heart beat and I was there the next day. Just spending time together was way over due. Those 3 days and seeing the real him, made me realize all over again why he's my best friend. 

Wonder what next year has in store for me? Guess we'll find out in tomorrow night when the clock strikes midnight! 

Red High Heels & Brown Cowboy Boots

I'm sure if yall had a dollar for every time you heard a girl say, "I'm not your typical girl" you'd be rich! Well, let me help ya out and give you a dollar cause you're gonna hear it again, I ain't your typical girl! I'm a mix 'breed' if you will. I'm country girl but I'm also a sorority girl! I like to call my 'breed' Red High Heels & Brown Cowboy Boots! I can let my hair down, put on my pearls, get all dolled up and put on those red high heels. But, most of the time you'll catch me in jeans, a shirts, a camo baseball cap and a favorite pair of brown boots, whether they're work boots or cowboy boots.  Like I said, I ain't the typical girl cause I ain't the typical sorority girl you often imagine and well I guess you could say I ain't your typical country/backwoods girl cause I'm sorority girl.

Red High Heels

As you can see I associate my sorority life to Red High Heels because when you're in a sorority its all about being presentable and looking your best, which means you better have on your momma's pearls she gave you the day you left home and went to college. And don't forget those 3 and 1/2" heels you have on that daddy doesn't really see the point or purpose behind and just shakes his head every time he sees you in 'em. The reason why they are red because one of the main colors of my sorority is red. 

I love my sorority and I love the heck out of my sisters. Joining my collegiate chapter might have been one of the best decisions I've made in college! Becoming a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha has opened so many doors that I once never dreamed of or even knew they existed. Cause of this organization I've met extraordinary women ranging in all different ages, from all of the country with stories so rich and full of history, laughter, tears, unbelieve moments, moments you should've been there for, and those who are getting ready to write a new part of history and make their unbelieve moments. And I get to be the gap between the old and new and witness it all first hand. It sure is something to tell later on down the road.  

I love my sorority and my sisters so much that landed me a job working for my national sorority. I've spent the last 6 months traveling all of the country visiting different collegiate chapters to help them become the best they can be. It's been quiet the experience, I must say. It's been rewarding, but it's also been challenging. It's brought more than enough laughter and great times, but it's brought a few tears and heartaches. But hey, that's the job I signed up for. 

I'm always frequently asked how I like my job and 99 precent of the time I want to just answer the question  with "Do you always like your job?" Like stated before, this job has given me experiences that I will cherish for the rest of my life and experiences I would have never dealt with in a million years. It's been rewarding to watch my chapters excel and go beyond their exceptions cause they didn't know their potential. And just like with everything else in life and like gravity, what goes up must come back down at some point. I've been challenged in more than a million ways and seen the ugly of this job. I've had to shut down a colony/expansion project at a college just cause the campus wasn't quiet ready for Greek Life and sorority life and girls just couldn't get the job done. The worst heartache and tears was watching a Greek Life community lose a Greek member due to alcohol poisoning. After being at the university and watching that Greek community lose a young life that could have been prevented, I now have a personal mission with that Greek community to bring a safer environment for it's students who are Greek. I can't wait until roughly 3 to 4 weeks to present my ideas and different programs to them. 

To answer everyone's question, "Do you like your job?" 

No, I don't like my job! I actually love my job. But I am human and I'm like everyone else; there are some days that I just don't love it. There are days that I just want to pack up my bags and get on the next plane that's going home and bring me back to the simple things in life and letting me put on those cowboy boots or lacing up the ol' works boots.

Brown Cowboy Boots

No glitz, no glamour, and most definitely no 3 and half inch high heels that have daddy shaking his head every time you put 'em on cause he just hasn't found a purpose behind 'em yet cause you can't work out on the farm in 'em, you can't go tracking through mud, open fields, and the woods in 'em, and you surely can't wear 'em on the boat cause you'll leave marks on the deck! 

I love sliding into a pair of cowboy boots or lacing up the ol' work boots and just going out and doing my thing whether that be down on the farm shooting a good ol' shotgun, wondering my way through the woods, working on the boat or putting on those ol' Sperry's or flip flops and going fishing.  I guess I should tell yall a few things about me that might help explain my last statement. I'm an only child, I'm daddy's little girl and daddy's baby girl, daddy and I are two peas in a pod, he's my best friend, and well I'm often the son he never had!  

Now with that all said, let me tell you I ain't your typical girl! I love fishing and I spend every weekend out on the boat fishing. I bait my own hooks and I even bait momma's and daddy's hooks too, I put out all the lines, I liter in all the fish that are caught, I unhook 'em, and when we get back to the dock I am the one who cleans and filets 'em! I've been cleaning fish since daddy still had hair growing on his head and I could reach and see over the fish cleaning table, so I say since I was 10 years old or so.  I love fishing, I love being out on the water and I love being down on the shore. I love working on the boat with daddy, I've helped him completely rebuild two engines. I know everything about those engines and how they operate. 

Not only am I a bad a** fish cleaner, so I've been told, I am also a girl who can load her own shotgun and clean it after a good day of shootin'. I love shooting a 12 gauge shotgun and I love going down to the farm shooting skeet/clay pigeons. 

Like I said I ain't your typical girl. You could ask me to go find any tool in the toolbox and I'll come with it. I learned at an early age what everything was inside that box. When I was 4 and helping daddy, he asked me to go get a test light. His friend told him I wouldn't know what I was looking for. Three minutes later I was back with the test light and brought the test leads too. Never underestimate a girl and never underestimate this girl! 

Now I'd like to take back that dollar cause I believe I've made my point with I ain't your typical girl and never will I be cause I'm your mix breed of Red High Heels & Brown Cowboy Boots!